Deans hands Turner Test debut

Australia coach Robbie Deans has made four changes to his side for Saturday's second Test against France in Brisbane, handing a debut to Waratahs wing Lachie Turner.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has made four changes to his side for Saturday's second Test against France in Brisbane, handing a debut to Waratahs wing Lachie Turner.

Turner comes in for Lote Tuqiri, his Waratahs team-mate, after Tuqiri injured his knee in the first Test – a game which Australia won 34-13.

“Lachie has been playing well for Australia A and working hard off the field when he has trained with us. We see this as a good opportunity to get his Test career underway,” Deans said.

Turner will be joined in the back three by Adam Ashley-Cooper, who comes in as a straight swap for Cameron Shepherd, who in turn drops down to the bench.

The other two changes come in the forward pack, where Brumbies number eight Stephen Hoiles comes back into the Test fold alongside Phil Waugh.

Hoiles comes in for the injured Wycliff Palu, who sustained a neck injury in the first Test and is not being risked at this early stage in the season. Meanwhile Waugh is a straight swap for George Smith as the two rotate.

Speaking about Palu and Tuqiri Deans explained that they both came close to proving their fitness.

“Initially the outlook was fairly promising on both of them,” said Deans.

“But, in the end, we've decided that it's not worth risking further aggravation of their current situations by playing them when they're not quite right.”

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 George Smith, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Cameron Shepherd.

Date: Saturday 5 July, 2008
Kick-off: 20:05 (11:05 BST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Television match official: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia)