Robbie Deans, Wallabie coach, has announced the Australian team to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
Waratahs lock Dean Mumm has seen his work as captain of Australia’s midweek team rewarded with a place in the starting side. The in-form second row led the Wallabies to a 31 / 3 thrashing of the Cardiff Blues on Tuesday and has now relegated Mark Chisholm to the bench.
Two other changes has also been made, David Pockock comes into the side in the place of George Smith and Digby Ioane replaces Ryan Cross.
Scrum-half Will Genia (knee), No 8 Wycliff Palu (neck) and powerful loosehead prop Benn Robinson (shoulder) have all been passed fit to play after coming through Thursday’s training session.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Kurtley Beale is on the bench after scoring two tries against Cardiff Blues and the utility back could now win his first Test cap this weekend.
Australia lost last year’s corresponding fixture against Wales 21 / 18 and Deans said: “This match is a big test of our collective character as a group, there’s no doubt about that.
“The Welsh are a formidable opponent. They’ve consistently been one of the best teams in Europe during the last two years, have an experienced playing roster, and had a wide representation on the British and Irish Lions tour (of South Africa) earlier in the year.”
Wales comes into the final game of their November series on the back of successive wins over Samoa and Argentina after starting off with a 19 / 12 loss to the All Blacks.
Australia have won just five of their 13 Tests this year so whatever happens on Saturday they will have a losing record for 2009.
Team:
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Dean Mumm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Mark Chisholm, George Smith, Luke Burgess, James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale.
Go Wales!!
1 – GBS – I’ll second that!!
. . . with hand on heart & fingers crossed: go the wallabies!!
3 – Old Griquas. Good luck to your team. You lived and played rugby here so will support Wallabies tomorrow. Last week supported Scotland just have too many friends from there. Tomorrow Go WALLABIES.
This will be a close game, but in the end the poor season of the wallabies will continue.
Makes us think just how good is Deans really. 50% winning record for him………. Not good at all.
Snoek
In fairness to Robbie one cannot make a silk purse from a sows ear … If he is given a free hand he could really make something of this rabble. Part of the reason Crusaders were so good for so long is they would crawl over broken glass for him & he for them. Admittedly he has excellent raw product to work with, but you can do nothing with a bunch of stars if you cannot coach them as a unit.
6 – RP
Do you think there is some tension in the camp with Deans as coach? Maybe they wanted an Australin coach. But who knows, players can make or break a coach. Unfortunately for Deans this move to Australia is not good for his reputation.
Snoek
The “senior players” in the Wallaby team have had WAY too much say for years now. Do you remember the report that senior players (confirmed by Mortlock & Giteau) were miffed because Tuquri’s termination was not “discussed” with them first ? Excuse me ? Where is it written in their contract that they get a say ?
I suspect that this is why he was dropped as Captain & Giteau was not considered. Although he was known at Crusaders for being inclusive Robbie Deans is not the sort to take instruction from someone who is not qualified & certainly not take sh*t slipped into the press like that laying down.
I notice the younger players who got their chance from him have come out in the press supporting him but a deafening SILENCE from the senior players …
I think there has been culture shock on both sides.
I also read this week John Connolly is suing the ARU ! Such a happy bunch the convicts 🙂
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