The Kookaburras were humbled by the hopefuls after Australia A beat an out of sorts senior Australian side 7-2 in the men's International Challenge at Perth Hockey Stadium.

Despite the match being a dead rubber, with Australia already confirmed as finalists against India, local pride and future international careers were both high on the agenda.

And it was the up and comers rather than the incumbents that took the honours to give senior coach Peter Birse some interesting selection dilemmas leading into the Champions Trophy in the Netherlands in August.

With two wins under their belts, and yet to concede a goal in the tournament, Birse had sent out a team high on confidence and expectation.

But the second stringers and their coach Ray Dorsett were on a high themselves, having pulled off the shock of the tournament by convincingly beating Pakistan 5-3 earlier in the week.

In the strange position of wanting to impress both coaches at the same time, it was Australia's A side that started the brighter.

Midfielder Ben Bishop capitalised on a weak clearance to advance into the right of the circle and fire a shot into the far corner of Australia's net.

Seven minutes later senior goalkeeper Stephen Mowlan was again exposed and ACT's Lucas Judge doubled the A side's advantage with a backhand drive.

Battling to avoid embarrassment, Jamie Dwyer took his impressive international goal tally to 36, finishing off a well worked penalty corner routine at the near post before halftime.

But just after the break South Australian striker Grant Schubert made up for some earlier misses with a great finish from a tight angle.

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