Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has dumped Timana Tahu and Tatafu Polota-Nau for Saturday night’s Tri-Nations rugby decider against the All Blacks in Brisbane.
Deans today made five changes in the wake of Australia’s record 53-8 loss to South Africa in Johannesburg 10 days ago, with Tahu and Polota-Nau dropped altogether from the 22-man squad.
Skipper Stirling Mortlock moves to inside centre in place of Tahu, with Ryan Cross to start outside him, while Stephen Moore is the new hooker at the expense of Polota-Nau.
Adam Freier is the replacement hooker.
In other changes, George Smith replaces Phil Waugh as openside flanker, Nathan Sharpe will start in the second row instead of Hugh McMeniman and Al Baxter at tighthead prop instead of Matt Dunning.
Western Force forward Richard Brown has won a place on the bench in place of Dean Mumm.
In addition to Tri-Nations honours, the Wallabies also need to win to keep alive their hopes of regaining the Bledisloe Cup from New Zealand.
Australia and New Zealand have split the first two trans-Tasman Tests this season, with the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup encounter to be held in Hong Kong on November 1.
Saturday night’s Test was today officially declared a sellout, with a crowd of 52,000 to be on hand at Suncorp Stadium.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks have named an unchanged starting XV.
Brimming with confidence after turning their Tri-Nations fortunes around with convincing wins over South Africa and Australia, New Zealand have named a near full-strength line-up with winger Anthony Tuitavake (facial fracture) the only player unavailable for selection.
They will use the same starting XV for the third straight Test.
The only new face in the 22 is Isaia Toeava, who replaces Leon MacDonald on the bench.
There is a question mark over John Afoa, who has a shoulder injury and been bracketed with Neemia Tialata on the bench but coach Graham Henry was confident the reserve prop would play.
“It’s a very competitive Tri-Nations series this year. Every match has been more important than the one before it and this Test decides the championship,” Henry said today.
“So we’re trying to make sure we get our preparation exactly right.
“Australia’s last result was out of character and we expect a real battle.”
The All Blacks have an ominous 13-2-2 record in Brisbane.
Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Matt Dunning, Hugh McMeniman, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown, Brett Sheehan, Drew Mitchell.
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