Deans ropes in star trio
The return to duty of Lote Tuqiri, Wycliff Palu and Nathan Sharpe are the highlights of the Wallabies side named for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against South Africa.
The return to duty of Lote Tuqiri, Wycliff Palu and Nathan Sharpe are the highlights of the Wallabies side named for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against South Africa.
The experienced trio are back in the starting line-up for the Wallabies' Tri-Nations opener in Perth after missing Australia's 40-10 second Test win over France in Brisbane.
Tuqiri (knee) and Palu (shoulder) were ruled out of that match due to injuries that were sustained a week earlier during the first international against that opponent, while a groin injury suffered at training in the lead-up rubbed out Sharpe.
All three have trained freely this week since the squad assembled in Perth.
In doing so, they have convinced Wallabies coach Robbie Deans of their fitness for the assignment ahead.
Deans watched Palu as he got through 50 minutes for the Manly Marlins in the New South Wales club championship at Manly Oval last weekend.
Tuqiri and Sharpe didn't play club rugby, but both contributed fully during the final training of last week's three-day camp at Manly. Neither player has shown any inhibitions from their injuries during the Wallabies' preparations this week.
“They're all looking good and ready to go again,” said Deans.
“We needed to be absolutely certain that they were right, because the South Africans are going to be the most physical opponent we have played so far.
“By allowing them all time, we're happy that they are at the level, both physically and mentally, that they need to be to play.”
Sharpe has made a timely re-entry into the second row given that Waratahs lock Dan Vickerman is still not quite ready to return to Test rugby after being troubled by an ankle complaint.
Vickerman will play club rugby in Sydney again this weekend to further his preparation towards a Test return. In the meantime, the versatile Reds forward Hugh McMeniman, who returned to the international arena via the bench in the second French Test, has retained his place in the matchday squad.
Sharpe, playing in front of his home crowd, is looking forward to running out in front of an expected capacity – and he hopes exceedingly vocal – home crowd at Subiaco Oval.
“Western Australians are pretty passionate about their rugby, whether it is following the Force, or the Wallabies,” said the Western Force skipper.
“All the boys are looking forward to playing at Subiaco again, and putting in a big one.”
Sharpe is one of four Force players to have made the cut, being joined by fly-half Matt Giteau, and replacements Ryan Cross and Drew Mitchell.
Cross, this year's Western Force Player of the Year, retains his place after scoring two tries off the bench in Brisbane. Mitchell steps into the spot vacated by his injured provincial colleague, Cameron Shepherd.
The bolter on the bench is Tatafu Polota-Nau, who has won a spot after making his playing return at club level last weekend for Parramatta.
Prior to that outing, the Waratahs hooker hadn't featured since the Super 14 final against the Crusaders at the end of May, due to an injured hand.
“Tatafu offers genuine impact. His ability to carry could potentially be invaluable in the latter stages of what I'd expect will be a high tempo game,” said Deans.
“While he's only had one club run since the Super 14 finished, the nature of his injury was such that he was still able to train, so his fitness base didn't suffer too much.
“He's also had two full weeks in camp which has helped bring him up to the level of the rest of the squad.”
Mitchell comes straight into the match day squad, after having made his return from injury with Australia A.
He offers many of the same attributes that the luckless Shepherd had provided, in terms of being comfortable both at full-back and on the wing, Deans said.
A feature of Saturday's match is that it will see Brumbies flanker George Smith clock up his 87th Test appearance.
That advances him beyond the career tallies achieved by the legendary John Eales and Joe Roff, making him both the most capped forward in Australian history, and also the third most capped Wallaby of all-time.
Smith, who played inside centre for his Manly club last weekend, has swapped roles with Phil Waugh, who started two weeks ago, although Deans acknowledged that Waugh was likely to see game time.
Last year's Rugby World Cup winners, South Africa arrived in Perth fresh from last weekend's historic 30-28 win over New Zealand in Dunedin, their first win in that country for a decade.
“Their record speaks for itself,” Deans said.
“Historically playing South Africa has always been a massive challenge, and recent events have probably only added to the significance of this assignment, but it's one that we're excited about as a group and looking forward to.”
Six of the squad named – winger Peter Hynes, inside centre Berrick Barnes, half-back Luke Burgess, lock James Horwill and run-on reserves Polota-Nau and Cross will be facing South Africa for the first time.
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Hugh McMeniman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Drew Mitchell.
Date: Saturday, July 19
Venue: Subiaco Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 18:.05 (11:05 BST)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand), Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Television match official: Garrat Newman (New Zealand)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (New Zealand)