Mumm to call his own destiny

Not only has Dean Mumm been called in for his run-on debut against France in the second Test on Saturday, but he has also been charged with running the Australian line-out.

Not only has Dean Mumm been called in for his run-on debut against France in the second Test on Saturday, but he has also been charged with running the Australian line-out.

Mumm, who has two caps as a replacement to date, was originally named on the bench again for Saturday's clash, but a late injury to Nathan Sharpe saw the Waratahs second row promoted to the starting XV on Thursday.

And now coach Robbie Deans has added extra pressure by asking Mumm to call the line-outs in Brisbane, and Mumm is welcoming the extra pressure.

Speaking after the captain's team run on Friday, Mumm revealed the last time he took such duties was for Sydney Fleet in last year's Australian Rugby Championship, although he is in a confident mood ahead of Saturday.

“I'll be calling the line-outs to start the game, obviously Sharpey (Sharpe) is very good at that and it's a challenge and something I'm very much looking forward to,” Mumm told AAP

“It's a great responsibility to look after the line-out and to be able to boss one area of the set piece.”

Deans is confident that Mumm has the ability to lead the line-out, although he expressed a need for the rest of the pack to take on an added responsibility now Sharpe is absent.

“That's a challenging area regardless of who you've got there,” Deans said of the line-out.

“The other guys are pretty well-versed, our preparation is such that they all need to have their heads around it.

“Obviously Dean (Mumm) wouldn't have been anticipating that he's going to be calling them from the first minute but he's got the background so he'll be fine.”

Asked his feelings on the eve of his first Test as a starter, Mumm said Saturday could not come soon enough.

“Obviously playing for the Wallabies you don't want to be a squad member, you want to participate, and obviously starting's the best way to do that,” he said.

“So it's a very exciting moment and I'm very proud to be starting for the Wallabies.”

Meanwhile, Deans expressed sympathy for Sharpe who is expected to recover in time for the Wallabies' opening clash of the Tri-Nations against South Africa in two weeks time.

“It's tough on Sharpey, it's disappointing for him, you wouldn't wish that on anyone really,” Deans said.

“To know that you've got a Test match coming and to be denied it is not a good experience.

“But as is the case it's an opportunity for Dean, it's his first start from the first minute so he'll be hugely excited about that.”