Deans brings in five fresh faces
The Wallabies starting XV named on Thursday for Saturday's fourth Bledisloe Cup Test in Hong Kong features five changes from that which lost to New Zealand in Brisbane in September.
The Wallabies starting XV named on Thursday for Saturday's fourth Bledisloe Cup Test in Hong Kong features five changes from that which lost to New Zealand in Brisbane in September.
Winger Drew Mitchell and young number eight Richard Brown replace the injured pair of Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu, while flanker Dean Mumm and second row Mark Chisholm owe their promotions to injury to some extent, with Hugh McMeniman and James Horwill both unavailable.
The final change to the starting line-up sees scrum-half Luke Burgess return – as indicated earlier in the week – replacing Sam Cordingley who drops to a place among the run on reserves.
The bench features a potential new cap in the 20-year-old Western Force flanker David Pocock, who would become the 829th Wallaby – and the ninth new cap of 2008 – should he take the field.
This year's Australian U20 captain is one of two loose forwards named among the substitutes, with the Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh being the other, alongside prop Matt Dunning and hooker Adam Freier. Blindside flanker Mumm will provide lock cover.
The bench also features the return of inside centre Berrick Barnes, who hasn't played since being forced from the field during Australia's historic win over South Africa at Durban in August.
Barnes has recovered from the injury to the AC joint in his shoulder he sustained on that occasion, although Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says his needs were best served by a re-introduction via the bench.
Tuqiri's unavailability has also created room for the inclusion on the bench ofLachie Turner, who debuted earlier in the year during the 40-10 win over France at Brisbane.
“While we've had a big build up, in terms of having had four weeks together in training camps prior to coming away, the focus specific to this match really only started once we assembled at Manly last week before heading to Hong Kong,” said coach Robbie Deans.
“Saturday is an historic occasion, and one that the players are excited about, and proud to be a part of.
“I said after our last meeting that we'd be happy to play the All Blacks in a car park to have another game with them, and I stand by that.
“Each game offers us the opportunity to test ourselves and raise our standards, providing a great barometer of the progress that we've made as a team.
“While we'd obviously have liked the Bledisloe Cup series to have still been alive, the chance to gain a Test win against New Zealand remains and that is an opportunity to be cherished.”
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Stirling Mortlock, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 George Smith, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Phil Waugh, 19 David Pocock, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Lachie Turner.
Date: Saturday, Novemebr 1
Venue: Hong Kong Stadium
Kick-off: 16:30 (08:30 GMT)
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland), Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)