Full-back: Mike Harris
The Wallabies have included trio Mike Harris, Nick Cummins and Ben Tapuai in a new-look backline for their clash with Argentina in Rosario on Saturday.
Western Force winger Cummins' selection comes on his 25th birthday as this season's backline stalwarts Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper were ruled out injured. The pair, who between them can have 118 Test caps, were both injured during the 8-31 loss to South Africa.
Harris will now take over the kicking duties from Barnes and has already proved himself in that role, kicking the match-winning penalty after the final siren when Australia beat Wales 20-19 in Melbourne to win the James Bevan Trophy Series.
After not originally being named on the bench at Loftus, and only taking his place after loose forward Scott Higginbotham was ruled out following a pre-game fitness Test, Harris wound up finishing last weekend's match at full-back, from where he scored his maiden Test try.
There are five changes to the XV from that which started the previous match: Harris and Cummins replace Barnes and Dominic Shipperley respectively, while Ben Tapuai reclaims a spot in the side standing in for Ashley-Cooper.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says the promotion of Cummins rewards his hard work in the background as a squad member through the season to date, noting that his extra size will be an asset in handling the Pumas' physical approach across the field.
"Nick has waited patiently for his chance, but has earned the right to represent his country," he said.
"We know that the Pumas will be coming straight at us, and will be looking to profit in the collision in the same way that the Springboks did last week. We've addressed that, both internally in our discussions, but also with our selection, where we have gone for the players we feel are best suited to that approach."
On Tapuai, Deans says a Test return was always a case of when, not if, after the Reds midfielder made an impressive start to his international career on last year's tour.
"Ben would have been involved earlier, but for injury disrupting his progress," he continued.
"But he has worked hard in our environment, gained match fitness playing a significant amount of club rugby in Brisbane, and brings a skill set that we feel will be useful in countering the Pumas, who will get off the line quickly in defence."
In the forwards, Sitaleki Timani makes a welcome return to a bulked up pack, taking over from Dave Dennis on the blindside flank. The big Waratahs forward's previous six Test appearances have all been earned in the second row.
"As with the backs, we've looked to increase our physicality to counter the direct force that will undoubtedly be coming the other way," Deans said.
"Although he hasn't played at six in Test matches, Sita does have some background in the position, and he's coming in relatively fresh after a four-week injury break. Dave [Dennis] has had a big workload, both in Super rugby where he was a regular, but also by featuring in every Test so far, which is a significant achievement in what is his first year as a Test player. That work load has taken its toll a little bit, but he will still be available to provide cover for either Sita, or the second rowers Kane [Douglas] and Nathan [Sharpe] off the bench."
A further change sees James Slipper promoted to start at loosehead prop, switching roles with Benn Robinson, who moves to the bench.
"Notwithstanding last week's yellow card, James has consistently made an impact this year," continued the coach.
"As is the case with Dennis, we feel we are better served to use the players in the reverse order to last week, with Slipper starting while Robinson provides the fresh legs later in the contest."
Australia: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Sitaleki Timani, 5 Nathan Sharpe (capt), 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Dave Dennis, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Brett Sheehan, 22 Dominic Shipperley.
Date: Saturday, October 6
Kick-off: 20:10 (00:10 BST, 23:10 GMT)
Venue: Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Pascal Gauzere (France)
Television match official: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Comments
Trader2 says...
Given the guts that the Wannabies showed last week I am going to cheer for them in the morning. I thought their effort was pretty good given all that was going on. They certainly show more balls than some of their so-called supporters (G Smith and T nats spring to mind) fancy hoping your national side will lose, enough to make a man vomit. Oz by 8.
Posted 04:16 06th October 2012
georgesmith says...
I see still no R. Simmons in the team. Not even on the bench. A t least he could have been there instead of Mr. Invisible... D. Dennis, who has started all games. I think D. Dennis is related to R. Deans or some ARU board member.
D. Dennis, N. Sharpe and K. Dougles are loser-type players. All had poor Super Rugby season while young R. Simmons is the future of Wallabies. Also he has actually won a Super Rugby title... so early in his career.
Posted 21:56 05th October 2012
Ferdie says...
Trinats2 - think you're over-estimating Graham Henry's influence; he was an a short-term contract as an advisor to the coach Santiago Phelan. Henry is not the Argentina coach, they are not 'his' team. He is there to improve coaching skills, not the team itself.
One more item that has gone unreported here, Chiefs coaches Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith have been in Argentina running coaching clinics. The other NZ coaches have run coaching clinics there in the last 2 years.
Posted 10:45 05th October 2012
tweedledee49 says...
georgesmith, did they forget to breastfeed you today? You seem a bit more grouchy than usual...dont worry widdle man, youll get her back when Sharpie is done...thats the only logical explanation as to why you hate someone so much that you would want him shot.
Posted 04:57 05th October 2012
Kiwikev says...
Well the Argies are going to beat all of the SH team going forward so might as well start with Oz this weekend!
Posted 04:41 05th October 2012
tha_mai says...
decent team, doubt Argentina have it in them to win this one, Australia by 10.
and for georgesmith - Nathan Sharpe to star, win all his lineouts, tackle well, put in yet another good all-round performance, wearing the jersey with the pride it deserves.
Posted 04:16 05th October 2012
irontrike says...
Starting to get a little aggitated by the pedantic referrence to first names in these posts.. 'R'Deans... 'B'Barnes, 'S'Timani.. christ, just say deans.. barnes.. timani etc..we know who youre talking about, save yourself some time, and consequently relieve me from consistantly reading Rrrrrr Deans and so forth in my head. its annoying.. Sort it out. On a less irritating note - I almost believe a number of wallaby supporters are willing Aus to lose this weekend, its as though theyre distancing themselves from their own team for not meeting the Australian rugby publics lofty expectations.. a phenomena, best described by the accronyms B.I.R.Ging and C.O.R.Fing, or basking in reflective glory, with words like 'did you see how well WE played on the weekend' and Casting off reflective failure - as in THEY played hopelessy, what are THEY doing??.. I however am not one of these jaded wallaby supporters, and believe were writing them off just to spite them in some cases.. my thoughts - the wallabies will win this one.. but it will be a fight..
Posted 03:32 05th October 2012
paulynz says...
Never been a Robbie Deans fan and never will be, and never ever thought I'd be saying this but all the best to the Wallabies.
Unlike QC these players are proud to represent their country and will give this game everything they have.
I'll be thrilled for Argentina if they should win though.
Ozzie ozzie, ozzie, oi, oi, oi (can't believe I said that!!)
Posted 02:56 05th October 2012
uglea says...
George Smith: You must have a narrow view on life to find time to constantly bag Sharpe and Deans. I can only guess that you were an AB triallist at some stage and Deans beat you for the position and that your misses has big eyes for Nathan.
I enjoy seeing your different takes from one stand point and would also like to agree with you regarding Nick Cummins who deserves a start.
Posted 02:35 05th October 2012
firepower says...
@melkdave yeah he (Timani) was a backrow back in the days at high school and club rugby. He can be played both blindside flanker and No.8.
@JayStarr i totally agree with you mate:)
Posted 02:28 05th October 2012
Wallaroo says...
Can't wait to see the honey badger pull on a Wallaby jersey. Well done Dingo you have done well given all you have had to endure; lack of confidence (I'm guilty here), injuries galore, internal attacks, media attacks and more. IMHO you have made some good decisions here which I hope pay off, still think it's gonna be a tough day at the office in Argentina but you are at least trying.
Posted 00:11 05th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
Finally Deans hand has been forced, or a desperate attempt to save his job. Tapuai and Cummins should have been included at the beginning of the year (Cummins straight after Mitchel was injured). I'd also move these in one and put Shipperley on the wing nad McCabe to the bench. Gill should be starting and Timani for Douglas. I would also have Luke Morahan at 15. Deans said he hasn't been with the team long enough, what about Tapuai ? At least Morahan trained with the Wallabies in the early tests. Harris will be under fire at full back. G. Henry will target Harris with a barrage of high kicks. And instead of running it back from 22 they will be ordered by Deans to kick it out, don't take any risks.
Australia could fire up and win big, or they could be smashed if they play like they did against the boks (deans will be gone then). Either way I'll be a happy Wallaby supporter.
Posted 23:33 04th October 2012
georgesmith says...
R. Deans is destroying the Wallabies by playing quality players out of position. N. Cummins is a deadly no. 13 who can actually break decent lines. That's where he belongs and not on some wing. Pity it has taken R. 'hopeless' Deans so long to give him a break at Test level. How can anyone justify the selection of K. Dougles and clown lock N. Sharpe ahead of R. Simmons. R. Deans is bad news. I hear they don't even want him back in Kiwiland. Who would? He has such a pathetic record.
Posted 22:03 04th October 2012
DameEdnasPossum says...
Interesting to see the character defining hater comments from some 'bokke...' and '...bok' members of the audience. You boys really do have a chip on your shoulders huh? Suggest you focus on Soweto rather than Rosario this weekend - or have you already given-up and prefer instead to back the Pumas in your desperation to follow a team with a chance of a win? I wonder how many Wobbly supporters are posting hater comments on your match preview page. None i expect.
Posted 21:13 04th October 2012
leebok says...
count the front row relacements. dodgy aussies. cmon Argy bargies..
Posted 20:11 04th October 2012
RugbyLeRoux says...
hahahahaha Cumins is absolute gash! Seems like a nice enough bloke and works hard but he is certainly not an international class winger.
Posted 19:29 04th October 2012
JayStarr says...
@ ArmChairGeneral: For once I agree with you. Well said.
Posted 17:59 04th October 2012
JayStarr says...
Despite all their injuries, that is a quality 22. I am not writing the Wallabies off... Hardships like they are going through at the moment can either break a team or bring them closer together - and it seems like they are drawing closer together. If they just do the basics well and create some space for Beale and Ioane, the opportunities will come.
I thought Beale did very well under the circumstances last week - he is an incredible player who can win a game single-handedly when he is on form. With Mike Harris on the field their kicks will go over. Higgenbotham is one of the best impact players around, as is Dom Shipperley, who was electric in broken play for the Reds this year. And last, but not least, Argentina will make a big mistake if they underestimate the threat of the Honeybadger on the wing..! Cummins is industrious on his worst day... he ALWAYS makes meters when he gets the ball.
Make no mistake, Argentina has their best chance of winning their first Rugby Championship game this Saturday - and I'll be thrilled for them if they do. All I'm saying is that this Wallaby squad is filled with quality players - Deans selected a very good squad with what he has left - so don't write them off too easily. They can still come out and play a big one...
And to be honest, I will probably be rooting for Australia for the first time in my life this Saturday. For the sake of rugby. Australian rugby is in a really bad place right now, so I think they need this win even more than Argentina (who have already surpassed everyone's expectations).
Posted 17:54 04th October 2012
FISH says...
yeah i rate cummins, the honey badger hahaha dumb nick name but he's a solid player looking forward to seeing him play
Posted 15:55 04th October 2012
NHSaints says...
This is certainly the Pumas best chance to beat the wallabies but I wouldn't write the aussies off yet, Cummins is well deserving of his place in the matchday 15, I hope he takes his chance to shine unlike Rod Davies did when he got his chance.
Posted 15:40 04th October 2012