Schoolboys score first test win in NZ
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The Suncorp Australian Schoolboys have beaten New Zealand Schools on Kiwi soil for the first time, retaining the Trans Tasman Shield with a 15-11 victory at New Plymouth.
The Australian team included eight Queensland players in the run-on side and three on the bench.
It was only Australia’s seventh victory in 26 Schoolboys Tests against the Kiwis and was the first back to back triumph, following their win in Sydney last year.
Australia led 8-3 at half time, never trailed throughout the match, and finished the Test with two tries to one.
Schoolboys coach Rob Nowlan praised the performances of his backrow, led by blindside flanker Eddie Quirk, from State High in Brisbane, who was named the Bronze Boot award winner alongside New Zealand forward Blade Thomson.
The Bronze Boot award is presented to the best player on either side in Australia-NZ contests and has been won in the past by Wallabies George Smith and Phil Waugh and All Blacks Jerry Collins and Carl Hayman.
“Our backrow was outstanding today,” said Nowlan.
“They won the contest at the breakdown, they were in there like missiles.
“We knew we had to aim up and the boys did.”
Openside flanker Kotoni Ale and wing revelation Kenneth Robertson, from Ipswich Grammar, scored the Australian tries with Churchie halfback Eddie Bredanhann kicking a penalty and St Laurence's flyhalf James Ambrosini landing a conversion.
Robertson was a late addition to the Pacific tour after two reinforcements were called following two games in Tonga.
Ale also collected two tries in the other Test on tour, a 22-13 win over Tonga Schools at Tongatapu on 29 September.
The victory in New Plymouth also held special significance for captain and centre Cameron Mitchell and reserve halfback Mark Swanepoel.
The pair played in last year’s victory and, in enjoying a repeat win over the Kiwis, are the only two Australian Schoolboys players to have beaten New Zealand twice.
Australia and New Zealand first played at Schoolboys level in 1978, when the Kiwis won 7-6 in Auckland, remaining unbeaten at home ever since.
Suncorp Australian Schoolboys 15 (Kotoni Ale, Kenneth Robertson tries; Eddie Bredanhann pen, James Ambrosini con) d New Zealand Schools 11 (Blade Thomson try, Kane Adams 2 pen goals).
