Berrick Barnes: Starts at 15
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has made four changes to his starting XV for Saturday's clash with England at Twickenham.
Full-back Berrick Barnes and wing Digby Ioane return to the back-line, in the places of Mike Harris and Pat McCabe, while second-rower Sitaleki Timani and tighthead prop Ben Alexander are also back, taking over from Kane Douglas and Sekope Kepu respectively.
After starting last weekend against France, Harris and Kepu have been named among Australia's eight replacements.
Injury has once again played a hand in the selection, with McCabe (neck), Douglas (knee) and flanker David Pocock (calf strain) all ruled out of the equation due to fitness concerns.
Of the returnees, Ioane, Timani and Alexander are all good to go again following injury-enforced layoffs; while Barnes made his return from a two-game injury spell by playing the final 26 minutes off the bench at the Stade de France.
Ioane hasn't figured since scoring in Australia's 25-19 win over Argentina at Rosario which locked up a second-placed finish for the Wallabies in the inaugural Rugby Championship.
The powerful winger has been sidelined from the two matches since by a knee injury, resuming full contact training last week in Paris.
Alexander also hasn't featured since the game in South America due to a wrist problem, while Timani was forced off after 21 minutes of Australia's 18-18 draw with New Zealand at Brisbane last month due to tightness in his lower back.
The Wallabies arrived in London to continue their end-of-year tour last Sunday after a disappointing first up loss to France where the visitors simply made too many mistakes against an inspired home side.
Coach Deans says that, while no one within the playing group was shying away from the disappointment of that defeat, and Australia's short comings on the night; the Wallabies were not getting bogged down by the baggage of that performance either.
"The key focus has been to take the meaning from it, and put that learning into practice for this week, both through our preparation and then onto the game itself," Deans said.
"There aren't too many challenges in Test rugby that are greater than playing England at Twickenham.
"We are playing an England side that has been building up under its new leadership, and will see Saturday as the chance to lay down a marker for the future.
"They will be excited by the opportunities they saw out of our performance last weekend.
"But it goes both ways. Saturday is a significant opportunity for us as a group as well. It's going to be a great occasion, and one that the whole group is looking forward to."
The significance of gracing the home of English rugby hasn't been lost on the tourists.
Just five of Saturday's run-on side featured the last time Australia played England at Twickenham two years ago, when the hosts recorded a 35-18 success which reclaimed the Cook Cup.
These players are Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nathan Sharpe, Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson. Two more: fullback Barnes and hooker Stephen Moore featured from the bench.
Australia: 15 Berrick Barnes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Brett Sheehan, 22 Mike Harris, 23 Drew Mitchell.
Date: Saturday, November 17
Kick-off: 14:30
Venue: Twickenham
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Mathieu Raynal (France)
Television match official: Jim Yuille (Scotland)






Comments
Wallaroo says...
OzInLondon, have to disagree on Slipper not being able to scrummage. I actually like both him and Alexander, just think it would be better to bring Alexander on as an impact player in the 2nd half because he's a better ball carrier than Slipper and his fresh legs against a tried England will pay dividends.
Just my opinion, as we all know opinions are personal.
Posted 16:10 16th November 2012
melkdave says...
Have to say it looks a better balanced team selection,and AAC back in his best position of oc 13 ,will cause England a few headaches im sure..I dont expect the scrum to fall apart either,but it will be under prssure ,and i hope the refferee doesnt let them get away with dropping it as usual,espicaly on their own ball.Expecting a hard fought fast paced game tgn ,and hopefully a England victory by 12-15 points.
Posted 23:16 15th November 2012
Trader2 says...
OzinLondon
Quite right its is an abomination to support England in anything. Wannabies by 12.
Posted 22:53 15th November 2012
Isograford says...
@OzinLondon The last few years, the Wallabies have motivated the All Blacks and their fans with their pre-game talk, something even Genia admitted they're guilty of doing too much of.
We don't have a problem backing South Africa, but Aussie, no thanks.
Posted 21:07 15th November 2012
Ripzy007 says...
@georgesmith who won the Oz player of the year award this year (2012)? maybe the whole Oz Rugby System is flawed or stupid for picking and acknowledging Sharpe's talents or lack of haha
Posted 20:50 15th November 2012
OzinLondon says...
Wallaroo
Why would you play Slipper against a team that can scrummage? He cannot scrummage. Full stop.
Alexander appears to be able hold his own on a good day. When Slipper comes on it is guaranteed to be a penalty-fest.
Posted 17:03 15th November 2012
OzinLondon says...
ArmchairGeneral
Does Alexander have any battle scars from Sheridan? I'm not sure he has been involved in any of the big scrum implosions. I think you might be thinking of someone else. The only time they have played each other was November 2010 and the scrum was the least of the Wallas' problems that day.
Posted 17:01 15th November 2012
OzinLondon says...
Kiwikev
The ABs are always my second team when Oz isn't playing. Most of my friends and family are the same.Doesn't seem to be the case for many Kiwis.
I guess you've got a bigger chip on your shoulder about Oz than you do about England.
I bet you live in Oz too.
Posted 17:00 15th November 2012
Wallaroo says...
Starting line-up should be
15 Kurtley Beale, much safer cover than Barnes
14 Digby Ioane
13 Adam Ashley-Cooper
12 Ben Tapuai
11 Nick Cummins,
10 Berrick Barnes
9 Brett Sheehan
8 Wycliff Palu,
7 Michael Hooper
6 Liam Gill
5 Nathan Sharpe (captain),
4 Sitaleki Timani,
3 James Slipper
2 Stephen Moore
1 Benn Robinson
Posted 15:41 15th November 2012
APV1 says...
BRING
IT
ON
Posted 12:39 15th November 2012
scrumpoacher says...
Please show up Oz-otherwise it will be an uncomfortable couple of hours at the CnB in Guernsey-not to mention work and training! Could just stay at home but couldn't crow as much if we pull it off!
Posted 12:22 15th November 2012
markpat says...
Much more balanced looking backline this week with 2 powerful wingers. I don't think Pocock is necessarily a huge loss as Hooper has been the better player all season, both in super rugby and international.
How long is O'Connor expected to be out, as he and Genia are the main losses.
Posted 12:03 15th November 2012
Kiwikev says...
I rarely support England, but in this case, I am willing to make an exception!
Posted 11:51 15th November 2012
chisel68 says...
I think they should START with Sheehan at 9. Not enough agrro from Phipps against an England team that will be looking to monster the Wallabies. I like the removal of McCabe from 12. He's only good for wing I'm afraid and if not then....?
A pity Simmons is out as I would have preferred Timani at 6 to Dennis.
Posted 10:06 15th November 2012
georgesmith says...
R. Deans is hopeless coach. He just doesn't have it for Test level rugby. A.A. Cooper should be put on the wing and N. Cummins at outside centre because then you can expect some clean line breaks. Why did he play S. Kepu last week anyway but its still bad news that the lazy prop is on the bench. D. Dennis... oh why and then there is grandpa N.Sharpe. Expect a lot of aimless kicking because B. Barnes is playing. England by 13 plus.
Posted 10:04 15th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Ben Alexander. What a shame we did not reunite him with Sheridan, just for old times sake. Just to renew the nightmares he must have had for years.
Posted 09:45 15th November 2012