Wallaby debutants raring to go

Australia debutants Luke Burgess and Peter Hynes are relishing their introduction to the Test stage when the Wallabies play against Ireland at the Telstra Dome on Saturday.

Australia debutants Luke Burgess and Peter Hynes are relishing their introduction to the Test stage when the Wallabies play against Ireland at the Telstra Dome Iin Melbourne on Saturday.

The pair were named in coach Robbie Deans' maiden national team on Wednesday and could be joined by replacements Ryan Cross and Dean Mumm in their first Test.

Burgess' stunning second half to the Super 14 season for the Waratahs has earned him a place in the starting line-up ahead of Reds' veteran number nine Sam Cordingly.

“It was a fantastic feeling and I am very excited,” Burgess told Sportal.

“It's been a quick couple of weeks and I can't wait to get out there. But I have been concentrating on my ability and working hard.”

Burgess will link up with Matt Giteau in a new half-back combination for Australia and is not expecting any problems in forming a new partnership with the Western Force star.

“It's been very limited, we could narrow it down to four days training,” Burgess said..

“I haven't played much with Matt but he is very easy to find as he is a good communicator.”

Hynes impressed Wallabies coach Robbie Deans by scoring a try for the Reds against the Crusaders during the recent Super 14 campaign and got the nod ahead of Adam Ashley-Cooper to start on a wing.

The 25-year-old speedster admitted that while he didn't expect a spot in the starting XV for the Ireland match, he was always hopeful that his form at the Reds would help him win his first Test cap this year.

“My goal for the last couple of years has been just to play for the Reds,” said Hynes.

“I have always wanted to play for the Wallabies but each year you start setting a new goal and that is to play for your province and then hopefully you get selection at the higher level.”

Hynes said he has been given free rein from Deans to play his natural game and attack at every opportunity.

“He (Deans) has given us no limitations,” said Hynes.

“The great thing about Robbie's coaching is that you take the spaces in front of you no matter where it is.”

Hynes managed to score five tries for the Reds last season and said he will approach this weekend's game no differently.

“I prepare for all games the same, whether it is a club game, state game or this weekend I will go into the game with a similar preparation,” said Hynes.

“Up to today we have been learning a lot of team patterns, they are the main points we have to learn. I guess the next couple of days will be looking at the finer details and exploiting their weaknesses and looking at our strengths.”