News

Hotham said the team had had a good training week in Hamilton and his selections were focussed on power and strength.

"We know the Samoan boys have got a big pack so we've picked a combination to combat their sizeable front row.

"The boys have been working hard this week and we're all looking forward to this match," he said.

The New Zealand Schools v Samoa Schools match will be played at Sacred Heart College, in Glendowie, with kickoff at 2:45pm.

The New Zealand Barbarian Schools team to face Australia Schools in the curtain-raiser match, has also been named today. Kick-off for that match is set for 12:15pm at Sacred Heart College.

Both matches are being broadcast live on SKY's Rugby Channel from 12:00pm.

The New Zealand Schools team is:

1 Tom McHugh
2 Sekonaia Pole
3 Etimani Sului
4 James Tucker
5 Troy Callander
6 So'otala Fa'aso'o
7 Sinclair Dominikovich-Murra
8 Alex Fitzgerald
9 Josh Renton
10 Beaudine Waaka
11 Broc Hooper
12 Vince Aso
13 Matt Vaega
14 Regan Ware
15 Trinity Spooner-Neera

Reserves:

16 Sam Thomas
17 Vincent Sakaria
18 Reuben O'Neill
19 Tim Cleaver
20 Lachlan Boshier
21 Jamie Booth
22 Jackson Garden-Bachop
23 Tevita Li

The New Zealand Barbarian Schools team is:

1 Tau Koloamatangi
2 Ezekiel Sopoaga
3 Wade McLean-Te Huia
4 Jack Falloon
5 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
6 Mitchell Jacobson
7 Mitchell Karpik
8 Dillon Wihongi, captain
9 Leon Fukofuka
10 Damian McKenzie
11 Luteru Laulala
12 TJ Fiane
13 Aleki Morris
14 Sean Connor
15 Bram Egli

Reserves:

16 Liam Polwart
17 Kerry Love
18 Jordan Brown
19 Billy Harmon
20 Seluini Molia
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Michael Green
23 Otere Black

********

New Zealand Schools' and New Zealand Barbarians Schools' playing schedule:

Saturday 29 September:

NZ Barbarians Schools v Australia
Venue: Sacred Heart College, Auckland
Kickoff: 12:15pm

NZ Schools v Samoa Schools
Venue: Sacred Heart College, Auckland
Kickoff: 2.45pm

Both matches broadcast live on the Rugby Channel, from 12:00pm

Saturday 6 October:

NZ Barbarian Schools v Samoa Schools
Venue: Auckland Grammar School
Kickoff: 12:15pm

NZ Schools v Australia Schools
Venue: Auckland Grammar School
Kickoff: 2:45pm

Both matches broadcast live on the Rugby Channel from 12:00pm

Additional fixture - Tuesday 2 October

Australia Schools v Samoa Schools
Venue: St Paul's Collegiate, Hamilton
Kickoff: 2.30pm