Reds wing Dom Shipperley is likely to be named in Australia's starting XV to face the Springboks in Perth on Saturday.
The 21-year-old speedster was on the wing while Kurtley Beale featured at full-back during Monday's Wallabies training session, suggesting they will get the nod for Australia's third Rugby Championship game.
Coach Robbie Deans has been forced to reconsider his back three due to the unavailability of Drew Mitchell, who has an ankle injury.
Beale's return to the run-on team means Adam Ashley-Cooper is set to move to outside centre. Radike Samo is likely to start at number eight ahead of Scott Higginbotham.
The Wallabies have yet to taste success in the Rugby Championship having twice been soundly beaten by the All Blacks but veteran lock Nathan Sharpe believes a few minor modifications should be enough to get them into the 'wins' column.
''The guys are all proud Australians and we want to make sure that the next time we take to the track we get a victory," said Sharpe.
''There's plenty for us to do in terms of getting things right on the field, but minor adjustments will see a big difference.''
''This is very much a new Springboks side with a new coach and all the rest of it,'' added Sharpe.
''The one thing they will bring is that national pride and they will be strong up front and on the back of that they've got very good tactical kicking skills.''
The match will be Sharpe's last in Perth, where he played Super Rugby for the Western Force, but sentiment was not on his mind.
"It will be great to play well and win the game in what will be my last game in Perth," he said.
"This weekend I'm probably a bit over farewells to be honest. I will just be happy with the win."
Comments
georgesmith says...
Just based on form, N. Cummins will make more impact at 13 than any other player including A.A. Cooper. I want to see how many line-breaks and tackle breaks made by him in this game. A.A. Cooper not the same player we knew. I think it's the Waratahs curse.
Posted 23:26 04th September 2012
cuw3100 says...
hmmm so Beale is going to be full back again??? what will happen if he puts in a shift like the one against MIB ???
ditto for Sharpe, who has been anything but in 2 matches so far, despite an extended rest from S15.
play dennis also as flanker and the result will be a forgone conclusion. or is it??? given how the SA team has played as if the game was American football :) LOL
Posted 06:17 04th September 2012
georgesmith says...
No liability player N. Sharpe in the pix. Does it mean he is dropped for the Springboks game. I hope so. I think he is injured. Well the writing on the wall is quite clear. Get rid of all under-performing players like N.Sharpe and D.. Dennis so that Wallabies at least have a chance. Clearly, N.Sharpe didn't have the legs or might against the ABs so is the Wallabies Kiwi coach really cranky to play him against Springboks, which is an equally strong team. Lets wait and see.
Posted 05:07 04th September 2012
melkdave says...
Well i had A.A.Cooper as FB,and P.McCabe /N.Cumming as the centre pairing..But i guess McCabe just isnt ready ,and RD isnt going to risk Cummings,though im sure his time will come.Going to be interesting to see who plays 12 Barnes or Horne.I suspect it will be Barnes ,as RD will be looking to maximise his attacking options thus KB at FB .This does imo leave a gaping hole in the 10-12 channal though as neither QC or BB are renowned defenders./tacklers ,and i suspect the bokke run run hard allday though that channal.Better hope the wallaby pack really fronts up ,and can deliver decent ball ,otherwise its going to be along day on the backfoot for the wallabies again .
Posted 01:13 04th September 2012
georgesmith says...
Oh god, why does everything about the Wallabies has to be about N.Sharpe. His last game... against ABs, his last game against Springboks, last game in Sydney and his last game in Perth. In reality, the minor modifications should include kicking N.Sharpe out of the 22 and putting R. Simmons in the starting line-up.
Do the Wallabies and N.Sharpe stupid enough to think they can win with N.Sharpe still in the team?
Posted 21:34 03rd September 2012
jappers1983 says...
Higginbotham will no doubt provide wing cover off the bench though, judging by the amount of time he spends out wide and avoiding anything vaguely resembling a ruck.
Posted 21:24 03rd September 2012