Two years after playing the last of his 20 Tests, Morgan Turinui has been added to Australia’s World Cup squad as a replacement for injured No.8 David Lyons.
Turinui’s call-up has been prompted by the continued concern surrounding injured fly-half Stephen Larkham.
A Wallabies vice-captain during Australia’s 2005 European tour, Turinui will arrive in Marseille just two days before Saturday’s quarter-final clash against England after Lyons was ruled out of the tournament with a broken leg suffered in the 37-6 win over Canada in Bordeaux.
Wallabies coach John Connolly said Turinui was one of three No.12s considered with Queensland-bound surprise Chris Siale and Western Force convert Ryan Cross.
“With Stephen in a bit of doubt and Scotty Staniforth with a knock we thought we were a bit dodgy in the inside backs,” the coach said.
“We were relatively happy with Ryan Cross’s Super 14 form but he’s a bit inexperience at 12 and Morgan’s experience got him the nod.”
Turinui, who will play for Queensland in 2008 after leaving the Waratahs, has been performing strongly for the Sydney Fleet in the inaugural Australian Rugby Championship.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby Union articles
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (201)
- Will South African rugby force a Super 21 by 2018? (173)
- The real story of how John O’Neill turned Manchester City down (70)
- Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby (65)
- Australian teams at Super disadvantage (58)
- Pocock set to be named new Force skipper (56)
- Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh? (51)
- France turns to Parra and Trinh-Duc
- Rebels look to lift for formidable Blues in rugby trial
- Mr Fix-It Lucas wants to nail down No.10
- Force roost loses ‘Mother Hen’ Sharpe
- Victory beat Mariners with Kewell winner
- Waratahs romp to 83-5 trial win over Samoa A
- Quade Cooper’s return to the Reds goes up a gear
- Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby (29)
- What opening matches of Six Nations taught us (19)
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (201)
- Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio (9)
- Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart (5)
- Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012 (29)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Explore:
THE ROAR ON