Former Mudgee Wombats junior Matthew Sandell has been selected to represent the Australian Schoolboys on a tour of Fiji and New Zealand in September and October.
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The Year 11 St Joseph’s student was notified of his selection last week by another former Mudgee resident, Paul Geddes, who will manage the Australian side.
It is a remarkable selection for Sandell who has been plagued by a recurring shoulder injury during the 2012 season.
Earlier this year the tight-head prop was selected for the Great Public Schools’ (GPS) Second XV along with another former Wombat Liam Moylan.
At the NSW All Schools trials Sandell reinjured his shoulder after 10 minutes of play. However at the end of trials Matthew was selected for the NSW First XV to play at the Australian Championships in Sydney.
Sandell withdrew after the first training run because of his shoulder but NSW (1) went on to win the national championship.
Australia and Australia ‘A’ teams were selected at the end of the tournament who then played Tongan Schoolboys in July.
The teenager’s shoulder has responded well to physiotherapy and selectors have continued to watch players including those returning from injuries.
Sandell has been playing his second season at tight-head prop for St Joseph’s College First XV.
He found himself among the 28-man Australian Schoolboys squad announced last week.
He joins fellow St Joseph’s player Tomas Robertson and the likes of ACT player Neori Nadruku – the son of former Canberra Raiders star Noa Nadruku.
The tour begins on September 17 when the boys will head into camp for an intense few days of training before flying to Nadi in Fiji on September 19.
The Australians will play two games against the Fiji Presidents XV and Fiji Schoolboys.
On September 26 the boys fly to Auckland where they will play New Zealand ‘A’ on September 29.
Samoan Schoolboys will be the next opponents in Hamilton on October 2 before returning to Auckland for the big match against the New Zealand Schoolboys on October 6.
- AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS SQUAD:
Matt Sandell (St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill), Jack Dempsey (St Ignatius’ College), Lolo Fakaosilea (Brisbane Boys’ College), Andrew Ferris (The Kings School), Lolakai Foketi (The Kings School), Michael Gunn (Anglican Church Grammar School, QLD), Gareth Kalell (Brisbane Boys’ College), Siotame Kavapalu (Rowville Secondary College, VIC), Andrew Kellaway (The Scots College), Adam Korczyk (Brisbane State High), Jake McIntyre (Alstonville High School), Tepai Meoroa (Newington College, NSW), Neori Nadruku (St Edmunds College, ACT), Matthew Philip (St Augustine’s College, NSW), Jonah Placid (Toowoomba Grammar School), Aaron Pleash (Ipswich Grammar School), John Porch (Farar Memorial Agricultural High School), Angus Pulver (Shore School), Tomas Robertson (St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill), Andrew Robinson (St Mary Mackillop College, ACT), Harry Rorke (St Ignatius’ College, NSW), Moli Sooaemalelagi (Roxburgh Park Secondary College, VIC), Tom Staniforth (Canberra Grammar School), Jim Stewart (The Scots College), Jack Tuttle (St Joseph’s Nudgee College), Mitchell Whiteley (St Ignatius’ College, NSW), Brad Wilkin (Iona College, QLD), Tom Wilson (Barker College), Manager - Paul Geddes (Central Coast Grammar School); Coach - Stephen Phillpotts (Brisbane Boys’ College).
