Deans set to announce first Wallabies team of season
By David Beniuk, 2 Jun 2009
- Tagged:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson, Berrick Barnes, David Pocock, dean mumm, George Smith, James Horwill, James OConnor, Josh Valentine, Lote Tuqiri, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Peter Hynes, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Rugby Union, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Timana Tahu, wallabies
Australian rugby union coach Robbie Deans (centre) talks to players during a training session for the team in Sydney on Monday, June 1, 2009. The Wallabies will play the Barbarians on Saturday night. AAP Image/Paul Miller
Wallabies superstar Matt Giteau believes version two of Robbie Deans’ Australian side will show more hunger as the Kiwi supercoach prepares to announce his first team of the international season.
Far from being more at ease in year two of the Deans regime, Giteau said competition for spots meant the squad was on edge as it prepares for its first hit-out of 2009, against the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.
Deans will name his first 22 of 2009 on Tuesday.
“Because of the depth and the way Robbie’s got everyone challenging for positions, no one’s assured of a starting spot so no one’s really at ease,” Giteau told reporters on Monday.
“You’ve still got to work hard and train the best you can and prepare and do all that so you can get that position so I think there’s a lot more hunger within the group.”
Giteau said a first-up clash with the Baa Baas, traditionally a festive occasion of free-flowing rugby, would not mean the Wallabies explore their ability to throw caution to the wind.
“I don’t think it’s a chance for the ad lib,” he said.
“Obviously you’ve been used to the patterns you’ve been playing at Super 14 level so you’ve got to get familiar now with the patterns that we want do here at the Wallabies and the calls.
” … So we’ve got these four Tests (against the Barbarians, Italy and France) which give us a chance to really sharpen up and get ourselves nice and ready for a Tri-Nations.”
That would suggest Deans is ready to name a conservative line-up, although speculation has suggested players sent back to club rugby last weekend, including star winger Lote Tuqiri, would sit out the match.
There are few contentious positions, although whether Dean Mumm starts at blindside flanker or covers lock from the bench, with the Western Force’s Matt Hodgson wearing the No.6 jersey, is one decision Deans and his selectors will need to make.
Force teenager James O’Connor is expected to get the nod at fullback, and Giteau said he would handle his second straight encounter with the Barbarians.
“If he’s given his opportunity, he’s always been a pretty confident guy so I don’t think he’ll lack any confidence so I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Giteau said.
One position not in doubt is Giteau’s, and the five-eighth said he was feeling more comfortable in the position heading into this international season.
“I feel a lot more confident this year than I did this time last year because it was a little bit of the unknown,” he said.
“I hadn’t really played a Test series or gone into Tests just playing flyhalf … so I’m a lot more confident in my role and I certainly know exactly where I need to be at to play my best football in that position.
“Kicking was something that I focused a fair bit on, being able to do different types of kicks … and I suppose just being able to direct things and trying to get control of a game when you feel you’re losing it a little bit.”
© AAP 2012Possible Wallabies team: James O’Connor, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Timana Tahu.
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- Explore:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson, Berrick Barnes, David Pocock, dean mumm, George Smith, James Horwill, James OConnor, Josh Valentine, Lote Tuqiri, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Peter Hynes, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Rugby Union, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Timana Tahu, wallabies
June 2nd 2009 @ 1:03pm
Rusty said | June 2nd 2009 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
Craig – had a relook at it and you are right. Besides Kieren is only 4 in taller than Ndungane
June 2nd 2009 @ 1:11pm
LeftArmSpinner said | June 2nd 2009 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
gentlemen, the team has just been announced. Here it is straight from the horses mouth!!! No lote, Tahu or Cross. Back three are AAC, Turner and Mitchell. Hodgson gets the nod ahead of Mumm. Otherwise, quite predictable.
Cleverly and sensibly, they are easing O’Connor and Cooper in. There is no hurry.
The Qantas Wallabies team to play the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday 6 June (7.30pm kick off), is:
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)*
14. Lachie Turner (Waratahs)*
13. Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, captain)
12. Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
11. Drew Mitchell (Western Force)*
10. Matt Giteau (Brumbies)
9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)*
8. Richard Brown (Western Force)*
7. George Smith (Brumbies)*
6. Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
3. Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Run on reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)*
17. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)*
18. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)*
19. David Pocock (Western Force)*
20. Josh Valentine (Western Force)
21. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)*
22. James O’Connor (Western Force)*
* denotes players who featured in December’s match between the Qantas Wallabies and the Barbarians in London.
June 2nd 2009 @ 2:22pm
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
No Tuqiri in the team. Turner in his stead. And Hodgeson starting. Apart from that nothing to outrageous for the Barbarian game.
June 2nd 2009 @ 5:14pm
John said | June 2nd 2009 @ 5:14pm | Report comment
At last ! The wallabies management have stopped rewarding mediocrity & have dropped Tuqiri from the team. I’ve felt sorry for a good number of our Aussie flyers over the past few years – several capable guys vying for just one wing spot with the overrated league convert a shoe-in on the other, irrespective of his form. I haven’t forgotten our ill-fated 2003 world cup campaign in Australia. It’s hard to believe now, but we went into the final with a back three of Tuqiri, Rogers & Sailor, leaving the likes of Joe Roff & Chris Latham on the bench. Simply amazing !!!
June 2nd 2009 @ 5:20pm
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | June 2nd 2009 @ 5:20pm | Report comment
I’m quite looking forward to seeing this game after the agony of the Super 14.
I’m actually escaping the flood zone – known as the Bellinger Valley – and hooking up with an old (and I mean OLD) school mate in Brisbane.
Can someone please suggest a Rugby friendly pub or what ever in Brisbane where my mate’s Missus can just drop us off and know that we will be fed, watered & basically in good company?
Should be fun.
June 2nd 2009 @ 8:31pm
BoundaryRider said | June 2nd 2009 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
Blinky, give caxton st, paddington a shot if you are near the city, the pub and a few other places are likely to show the game and you can grab a meal on caxton st or up at the barracks…
June 2nd 2009 @ 10:16pm
wannabprop said | June 2nd 2009 @ 10:16pm | Report comment
No one talking about no Waugh?
June 2nd 2009 @ 10:50pm
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 10:50pm | Report comment
Prop
Sadly I think it’s time that Waugh accepts that his international career is currently dead in the water. This is pretty obvious with him being released to play for the BaaBaas. He sit’s behind Smith, Elsom, Pocock.Hodgeson and Mumm in the Wallaby flanker department. Even Brown would be ahead of him.
June 2nd 2009 @ 11:22pm
wannabprop said | June 2nd 2009 @ 11:22pm | Report comment
WCR. Jeeezzz. Forgot he was in the BaaBaas – been far too focussed on the Wallaby selections. Thought this would be the ideal match for Tahu to show his improvement (or not)… and leave Cooper for another cameo against Italy.
June 2nd 2009 @ 11:40pm
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 11:40pm | Report comment
I’m just stating that if he was a integral cog in the squad he wouldn’t be running around with the BaaBaas. Especially considering he is currently eligible for selection. Unlike Elsom at the moment. But the second he does he’ll be straight into the squad.