The All Blacks side has already been known and reported about, herewith the remaining 3 sides for this weekend’s End Of Year Toursgames on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

Wallabies – Pocock is back:

The Wallabies have been able to bring former captain David Pocock in their starting line up to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Pocock will complete his return to fitness after injuring his knee during the Wallabies’ opening match of the inaugural Rugby Championship against the All Blacks at Sydney in August.

Pocock led Australia to a three-nil clean sweep of the Grand Slam-winning Wales in June, but has not appeared since August.

The 24-year-old was scheduled to make his return earlier in the Spring Tour, but was held back after sustaining a mild calf strain at training prior to Australia’s departure from Paris following the opening game of the tour.

Pocock’s return allows the work load to be eased for star rookie Michael Hooper, who has performed exceptionally in the absence of his senior colleague.

Used off the bench against the Six Nations champions in June, Hooper ends his freshman Test season having started nine Tests consecutively prior to this weekend, where he will be injected into the game from the bench.

The high class 21-year-old fetcher has won the Australian team’s internal Player of the Day award on four occasions from those nine starting appearances.

Although Pocock will not captain the Wallabies this weekend, with that honour remaining with Pocock’s long-time Western Force and Wallaby colleague Nathan Sharpe as he plays his 116th and final Test; Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says his return will provide the squad with fresh impetus ” both physically and mentally.

“David is one of the best in the world as a player, and is growing every day as a leader, so naturally we are delighted to have him back,” Deans says.

“While he has continued to contribute off the field, this tour has been one of frustration for him, but we were not prepared to take any risks and potentially compromise either the player or the team, in terms of his fitness. ”

“The upside to the wait is that his return comes at a time where we need fresh energy, as was evident at times during our Test in Italy last weekend.”

Although Deans believes Pocock is capable of playing the full Test, pointing to the lengthy training background he had prior to the calf strain, the inclusion of Hooper in the match night squad gives Australia the option of applying two openside flankers to the breakdown contest.

This is a tactic the Wallabies employed with success, when using the fetchers in tandem, during the June Tests against Wales.

“Michael (Hooper) has had a massive year and it was evident that for him, as well as some others, it was starting to take its toll last weekend,” Deans says.

“He’s earned the right to finish the year on the park. Having the option of working him alongside David at some point during the contest is a win-win for us.”

The change on the openside is one of three alterations from the Wallabies starting line-up during last weekend’s gritty 22-19 win over a fast-finishing Italian side at Florence.

The others see lock Kane Douglas return from a knee injury to take over from the suspended Sitaleki Timani, while Tatafu Polota-Nau resumes in the middle of the front row.

The damaging NSW Waratahs hooker, who has started 11 of Australia’s 14 Tests in 2012, was a late withdrawal after being named to start the match against the Azzurri, due to general soreness carried over from Australia’s 20-14 win over England in the Cook Cup Test match at Twickenham two weekends ago.

Douglas, who didn’t accompany the Wallabies to Italy, instead continuing his rehabilitation in London where he could attend to his ill mother; has been put through a searching physical examination since rejoining the squad in Cardiff, with Deans saying his knee had passed the Tests with flying colours.

“Kane is ready to go,” Deans says.

“It’s obviously been a trying time for his whole family recently, but his dedication ” both to his family and his career ” is clear, and a testament to the character of the man. He arrived in Cardiff having done the work on his rehab, has got stuck in since he’s been here, and was wearing the biggest smile I’d seen in a while once told he had the nod to play. He’s looking forward to it.”

The Australian bench includes the tour’s newest arrival, NSW Waratahs halfback Brendan McKibbin, who jetted in from Sydney on Tuesday morning to join the touring party.

While Hooper and hooker Stephen Moore have dropped back to the bench from last week’s run on side, McKibbin is the only new player into the squad on the bench.

Berrick Barnes will win his 50th Test cap when he starts for the fifth time as fullback and will also ecome the 37th Australian player to have surpassed 50 Tests.

Australia has held the James Bevan Trophy since prizing it away from Wales courtesy of a commanding 33-12 win which closed the 2009 Spring Tour.

The Wallabies have strung together six subsequent wins over Wales in succession since that match, five of which have been achieved in the last 14 months.

Deans, however, believes that history will only provide Wales with more motivation, as will the reigning Six Nations champions’ current plight, which sees them facing the prospect of a winless (Northern Hemisphere) autumn series, should Australia prevail again at the weekend.

Wales has previously lost to Argentina, Samoa and New Zealand this month.

“You don’t win two Grand Slams in the last four years (2008 & 2012) while also making the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup without being a quality oufit, and a resilient one,” Deans says.

“If we were in their situation, I know the response I would be expecting.

“Cornered beasts are always the most dangerous; they have nowhere else to go but straight ahead! I’ve no doubt that (Wales coach) Warren (Gatland) and his men will feel that way at the moment.”

“They did some good things last weekend against New Zealand, and weren’t always rewarded for them. Our recent history (against Wales) shows how little there is between the two sides. Our blokes won’t need reminding of that.”

Currently ranked third on the International Rugby Board rankings, a win would see Australia again rise above South Africa (who have completed their 2012 engagements) to end the year as the Wallabies did in 2010 and 2011, rated second only to the All Blacks in the standings.

Wallabies: 15 Berrick Barnes, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe (Captain), 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Michael Hooper, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Mike Harris, 23 Digby Ioane.

 

Wales – change 4:

Wales have made four changes to their starting pack for their final Autumn International against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

In the front row Blues prop Scott Andrews, who came on for Osprey Aaron Jarvis in the first minutes of the defeat to the All Blacks last time out, is handed his second Wales start and he is joined by former Blues colleague and 93-times capped veteran prop Gethin Jenkins (now Toulon).

Jenkins, who has been released by the French club for the fixture which falls outside the IRB international window, replaces Bath’s Paul James, who by contrast has been made unavailable.

Elsewhere Ospreys lock Ian Evans completes his return from injury (knee) to replace Bradley Davies (Blues) who has been ruled out with concussion and Scarlets flanker Aaron Shingler replaces another Osprey, Ryan Jones, in the back row – with Jones retained on the bench.

The same backline which started against New Zealand last time out is selected, with Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar coming in for another player returning to his club, Perpignan’s James Hook, in one change to the backs cover provided by the bench.

Uncapped Scarlets tight-head Samson Lee has the potential to make his international debut after joining the training squad on a full time basis this week providing front row cover as a replacement alongside Ospreys prop Ryan Bevington in the final change to the match-day 23.

Lee turns 20 tomorrow (Friday), missing out on the chance to make his debut as a teenager, but he still has the opportunity to pick up the late birthday present of an international cap should he appear from the bench.

“We need to pick up again where we left off in the second half last week,”said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“We managed to retain 73% possession after the break against the All Blacks and win the territory battle, and we need to put Australia under similar pressure from the outset.

“We have played them regularly over the last couple of years and have come close to winning on a number of occasions, but have not quite been able to get ourselves over the chalk of the finish line.

“Both sides have had injuries to cope with, but there is every reason for optimism. The Millennium Stadium crowd will be in full voice again, they were outstanding last week, and we are aiming to reach the end of a tough series on Saturday and finish off on a high.”

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Matthew Rees, 3 Scott Andrews, 4 Ian Evans, 5 Luke Charteris, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Sam Warburton (Captain), 8 Toby Faletau.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Scott Williams.

 

England – change 1:

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has named Owen Farrell to start in place of the injured Toby Flood for this weekend’s Test match against New Zealand’s All Blacks at Twickenham Stadium.

The Saracens flyhalf Farrell, nominated as IRB Player of the Year 2012 is the only change to the XV that started against South Africa.

Freddie Burns of Gloucester comes on to the bench with Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) also making his series debut among the replacements instead of Mouritz Botha.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We asked for a big response from the players after Australia and we got one last Saturday against South Africa, although ultimately we were denied.”

“That frustration has been channelled this week and the whole squad has reacted with a determination to get a victory against the top team in the world.

“We are delighted that Courtney has got an opportunity. He has worked hard to get back in contention and what better game for him to make an impact. ”

“The same with Freddie Burns, who has had a great Premiership season so far, and we are looking forward to seeing him contribute should he get his chance.”

England: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Mike Brown, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (Captain), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Alex Corbisiero.

Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 David Wilson, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 James Haskell, 21 Danny Care, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Jonathan Joseph.

One Response to End Of Year Tours: Wallabies, Wales & England teams for the weekend

  • 1

    Will be interesting to see how Freddie Burns goes if he gets a chance off the bench, a lot of good things being said about this flyhalf! If Courtney Lawes can replicate his best form he will be a hand full coming on off the bench.

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