CLICK HERE: Match Highlights: Australian Schools v Samoan Schools

Australian Schools coach Stephen Phillpotts thinks his current crop of Schoolboys could be as good as any he has seen, but admitted the real test won’t come until Friday when they face New Zealand Schools at Ballymore.

“We’ve got some real size in the forwards which is nice, a couple of tall second rowers and a few options in the line-out. But until the heat is really on the side, it’s hard to tell how good they are and that heat will come on Friday night against New Zealand,” Phillpotts told Rugby News.

“In terms of preparation and the camp, they’ve been as good as any side I’ve seen so far,” he added.

Australian Schools defeated Samoan Schools 39-18 in their opening match on Monday afternoon, but failed to fully capitalise on a 27-0 lead late in the first half.

“We saw glimpses of a few of the things that we’ve been working on but it’s still obviously a work in progress. We got to play the whole 23 so everyone got significant game time and that was one of the things we wanted to get out of the game,” the coach said.

“I was really pleased with our outside backs, they’ve got plenty speed and they played really well with the ball in hand.”

Phillpotts singled out centre Simon Kennewell and prop Harry Johnson-Holmes as two of his best against the physical Samoans, before admitting an 80-minute performance was crucial against the Kiwis.

“At this level you can’t afford to take your foot of the pedal like we did against Samoa, the opposition will put points on you and make you pay, but that’s all part of the experience so I think they’ll be better prepared for the New Zealand game.”

The Australian Barbarians, effectively Australian Schools second string side, fell just short of upsetting New Zealand Schools on Monday, going down 23-22 after trailing 13-0 early in the match.

Despite the tight result, Phillpotts is preparing his side for their toughest challenge yet.

“I’ve been around enough to know not to look too much into lead up games. They don’t always indicate the form the side is in and a Test match is a very different story.

“They are a typical New Zealand side. All 23 players are well skilled, well built and hard at the breakdown.”

Classy flyhalf Josh McKay scored all 23 of New Zealand’s points against the Barbarians, scoring twice and kicking five goals.

“He showed plenty of talent, he’s got a good passing game and then picked his occasions when he wanted to run and was really effective, so he’s a quality 10. New Zealand seem to have a habit of producing quality 10’s.”

However Phillpotts said the key to beating New Zealand was to meet them in the battle upfront.

“With New Zealand sides you have to be, you have to be ready for the physical confrontation that is going to come and if you don’t match it, you are on the back foot so you have to at least match their physicality and then try and get on top in that area.”

Australia has claimed the Trans-Tasman shield on just nine occasions from 31 attempts since the sides began playing annually in 1978, however their form in more recent years makes for better reading.

“In the last eight or so years, we’ve won around half of these matches (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012) so we are making some ground back.

“You can never be too confident going into a game against New Zealand but I certainly think we’ve got a side that can match them on Friday night.”

The Australian Barbarians will face Samoan Schools at 4pm at Ballymore before Australian Schools and New Zealand Schools meet at 5:45pm.

CLICK HERE: Match Highlights: Australian Schools v Samoan Schools