Burgess wins the battle at nine
Despite not naming his side until Thursday, Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has revealed that Luke Burgess will start at scrum-half against the All Blacks this Saturday.
Despite not naming his side until Thursday, Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has revealed that Luke Burgess will start at scrum-half against the All Blacks this Saturday.
Burgess, who has been out injured with a knee injury for the last three months, has beaten Sam Cordingley to the number nine jersey.
Deans, who will not name his squad for the match until Thursday, did publicly reveal that Burgess had won the race to start at half-back.
“Luke did really well with his entry to Test level and was unlucky to pick up an injury,” Deans told AAP
“He's done well with the time he's had with us, he's just getting (his international career) underway so we just want to keep pushing on with that and he brings a real energy.
“It's tough on Sam Cordingley, but Sam's probably already had more than he probably thought he was going to get this year.
“And it won't be the last rugby that he gets either. He's a great bloke in the group.”
Deans also revealed that second row Mark Chisholm will also start, for what will be his first start of the year for the Wallabies. Timana Tahu and Lote Tuqiri are both unavailable, meaning Ryan Cross could continue in the centre alongside Stirling Mortlock.
Chisholm had not planned on featuring as a starting player, but with James Horwill and Dan Vickerman both missing he gets a rare start.
“The last couple of years I was getting that feeling,” said Chisholm, who played the most recent of his 35 Tests at last year's World Cup in France.
“I got put in at six a fair bit, but the last couple of years I've really concentrated on being a lock and it was great that Robbie recognised that.”
Chisholm's selection comes just three months after being struck down with chickenpox.
“It was a big surprise because all my brothers and sisters had it when they were young so I just assumed that I got it along with them, as you do,” he said.
“It hits you and knocks you around a bit, but I'm back now.”
Deans said Chisholm thoroughly deserved to play in what will be the first-ever Bledisloe Cup match contested on neutral territory.
“He's played some really good rugby,” Deans said.
“He was in our initial squad. Through misfortune, he didn't get to play.
“He's one of those blokes that's been around for a while but hasn't fulfilled what he's wanted out of the game yet, and he's probably a little frustrated by that.
“So this is his chance, he's obviously pretty excited about it and he's got an awareness of how important it is because he's got that sense of having these chances previously and not taking advantage of them.
“So if he brings that urgency, I'm picking you'll see a pretty good performance out of him.”