ACT Year 11 students Andrew Robinson and Tom Staniforth will represent Australia against NZ next week as part of the biggest game on the Australian schoolboys rugby calendar.

This will be the first Australian schoolboys game for Robinson, a St Mary MacKillop College student, who was  promoted from the Australian A team to the top side two weeks ago.

He was part of the Australian A team that tackled the English schools in August at Oakhill College.

“It’s an honour really, to be picked for the Australian Schoolboys. You think about some of the great players who have been there before me and it’s quite humbling,” Robinson said.

“Tom and I are really excited to be given this opportunity and I’ll be taking as much as I can from the experience.”

Canberra Grammar student Staniforth said facing the NZ Schools A team for the Australian Schools A will be the biggest challenge of his rugby life.

“We’re expecting a team of big physical boys, typical of what you get whenever you face a NZ team really,” Staniforth said.

“I want to play a physical game and make the most of every minute I’m out there.

“It was a huge surprise when I got the call a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t expect to be playing for Australia A but I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity.”

[box]Tom Staniforth
Position: Lock
School: Canberra Grammar School

Andrew Robinson
Position: Centre
School: St Mary MacKillop College
Club: Tuggeranong Vikings
What: Australian Schoolboys v New Zealand Schools
Where: Knox College, Sydney
When: Saturday, October 8
Kick-off: 12.45pm[/box]