Strong Wallabies lineup named for Barbarians match
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By The Roar, 2 Jun 2009 The Roar is a Roar Pro
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- Al Baxter, Barbarians, Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson, Berrick Barnes, David Pocock, dean mumm, Drew Mitchell, George Smith, James Horwill, James OConnor, Josh Valentine, Lachie Turner, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharp, Nathan Sharpe, Quade Cooper, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Rugby Union, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Sydney Football Stadium, wallabies
The Wallabies have announced a strong team for their match against the Barbarians on Saturday night at the Sydney Football Stadium. Western Force blindside flanker Matt Hodgson will make his debut for Australia, although he won’t receive a Test cap.
The Sydney-born loose forward, who will celebrate his 28th birthday later this month, has been selected to partner Force team-mate Richard Brown, and George Smith in the Australian loose forward trio.
Stirling Mortlock will again lead Australia, and has been named at outside centre for the match, which sees the Wallabies return to the SFS for the first time since a 41-29 win over New Zealand Maori in 2001.
Other features of the backline include the selection of last year’s regular custodian, Adam Ashley-Cooper, at fullback, where he appeared in nine of his 11 Test matches for the Wallabies last year.
Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell are paired on the wings, while there is also a return in the starting formation of the combination between flyhalf Matt Giteau and inside centre Berrick Barnes.
The twin-playmakers have not started alongside each other for the Wallabies since Australia’s historic 27-15 win over South Africa at Durban on 23 August last year.
In the forward pack, James Horwill is back in the second row after the Queensland Reds captain was forced to miss last year’s Spring Tour due to an operation on a foot-ligament injury.
He will combine with Nathan Sharpe behind Australia’s regular front row from last year’s Test season; props Al Baxter and Benn Robinson, and hooker Stephen Moore.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says the strength of the line-up reflects both the respect with which they hold the Barbarians playing roster, but also their desire to “hit the ground” running as the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series kicks off.
“It’s a high quality line-up we are up against,” Deans says.
“The Barbarians boast proven performers at this level, who are hungry for more success without being burdened by the pressure of expectation that you associate with full Test matches. Because of that, they will be even more dangerous as an opponent. This will be a Test match in every thing but name.”
Deans pointed to December’s match between the two teams in London, which was everything but festival-like in nature, as an example of the type of intensity the fans can expect at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“The Barbarians side we faced last year was a strong one. For experience across the board, this one is even stronger, and they have the advantage on us, in terms of time together to prepare, having played together last weekend when they beat England.”
The Baabaas flexed their muscles at Twickenham last weekend, beating England 33-26.
To oppose the visitors, Australia will field a side that draws on proven performers from last year’s campaign, as well as rewarding some of the form players of the recently concluded Investec Super 14.
Twelve of the players selected today appeared in Australia’s most recent match against the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium in London last December, when the Wallabies prevailed 18-11.
Turner scored the second of Australia’s two tries on that occasion while James O’Connor, who started at fullback on that night but is among the run on reserves this time, handled the goal-kicking and contributed eight points.
As was last year’s practice; players not included in this weekend’s match day squad of 22 who are fit and available for selection will be released to their club’s following Thursday’s Wallabies training session.
The Barbarians, who arrived in Australia yesterday (Monday) morning, announce their line-up for the match tomorrow.
The 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 Wallabies and the Barbarians in London.
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- Al Baxter, Barbarians, Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson, Berrick Barnes, David Pocock, dean mumm, Drew Mitchell, George Smith, James Horwill, James OConnor, Josh Valentine, Lachie Turner, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharp, Nathan Sharpe, Quade Cooper, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Rugby Union, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Sydney Football Stadium, wallabies
Who Needs Melon said | June 2nd 2009 @ 1:24pm | Report comment
A pretty sensible lineup really. The omission of Lote will come as a surprise to some but most (including myself) now believe there are quite a few now ahead of Lote in the queue for a wing spot. Add Hynes and Ioane back into the queue and have we seen the last of Lote in the green and gold?
Hodgson and Horwill will be wanting big games.
I hope O’Connor gets a good run. AAC has hardly taken anyones breath away with his performances at fullback. I’d be telling him “the first aimless up and under and you’re off!” – it’s easy to be tough from my armchair.
LeftArmSpinner said | June 2nd 2009 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
Well, No Tuqiri and No Tahu and no Cross! Dingo prefers Turner’s afterburners and Mitchell and AAC’s utility skills in the back three. Essentially three guys with winger speed and fullback catching, attacking and kicking skills, so better than others.
Hodgson gets the nod over Mumm. Valentine’s much talked about partnership with Giteau won the day over Sheehan.
The bench is knee deep in utilities: Youngsters O’Connor, Cooper and Pocock get the chance from the bench, clever and sensible blooding rather than being thrown into the deep end. Mumm covers 4,5, 6 and 8. Alexander covers 1 and 3. Valentine can cover 9 and 10. Youngsters, O’Connor and Cooper cover 12, 13 and 15 and 10, 12 and 15 respectively.
Vincent said | June 2nd 2009 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
I have never thought Lote’s had the full game package…I guess each winger has their style but I’ve never really felt him at the level of other wingers like Suvivatu, Rocococko. So I’m not suprised he has been left out..
Brett McKay said | June 2nd 2009 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
I’m not so much surprised that Tuqiri has missed out (form, injury or otherwise) as I am that Tahu isn’t on the bench. I wonder how Aussie Rob intends to use Cooper and O’Connor??
Who Needs Melon said | June 2nd 2009 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
Brett: You’re right. Tahu would have been a good pick on the bench instead of Cooper. They are chalk and cheese but with Barnes on the field, we’d seem to have a good cover for 10 already.
Hoy said | June 2nd 2009 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
I am glad Lote has been left out. Suprised, but glad.
I am also suprised that Adam two dads has gotten a run at fullback. I don’t rate him too much, but especially not at fullback. I am with you Melon. If I see him do another one, I will f-ing scream. He just has no game plan at fullback. Just catch, take 5 steps, pointless up and under and return possession on halfway to the opposition. It just makes no sense whatsoever to me. He is kicking it from just in front of the defensive line, with Wallaby support around him. He might as well balls up and take it in hard, because his kicks only seem to make 5 metres anyway.
Brett McKay said | June 2nd 2009 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
Melon, having thought about who could play where if somene comes off, I think Cooper and O’Connor still works:
Giteau: Cooper in to 10, or to 12 & Barnes to 10
Barnes: Cooper or O’Connor to 12, or Giteau to 12 & Cooper to 10
Mortlock: Ashley-Cooper to 13, O’Connor to 15
Mitchell: Ashley-Cooper to 11, O’Connor to 15
Turner: Ashley-Cooper to 14, O’Connor to 15
Ashley-Cooper: O’Connor to 15.
Even if both wingers go down, you could still play either O’Connor or Cooper on a flank, or Cooper at 13 and Mortlock on the wing. Either way, it looks like it’s covered.
I actually thought Tahu should have been there based on his form for the last three weeks, his versatiloty was a bonus..
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
I’m happy for Turner. It shows that Deans was able to look past his lack of opportunity with the Tahs to see his ability. I don’t think we’ve the last of Lote in the Gold of Australia. The 1st test against Italy I would think will have a few interesting changes yet.
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 2:35pm | Report comment
I think we’ll probably see Tahu have a run against Italy. I see these 4 incoming tests as a player trial for Deans. So just because to get a run against the Barbarians doesn’t means your a definite for the next game.
retiredrucker said | June 2nd 2009 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
I think cooper should think himself the luckiest non preformer to warm the bench. He had a shocking season, clearly Dean’s see’s something I can’t. I thought he needed some head shrinking after that season and spend the winter in grade. Nothing like awarding mediocrity to enstill false belief in ones self.
As a diehard wallibies supporter I hope the BABAS forwards absolutley go hard to test the pack.
We need a mean streak in the pack and Baxter’s scowl doesn’t cut it.