Strong Wallabies lineup named for Barbarians match
Roar Guru By The Roar, 2 Jun 2009
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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
June 2nd 2009 @ 4:34pm
Who Needs Melon said | June 2nd 2009 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
Brett, I agree but having Tahu there instead you’d have:
Giteau: Barnes in to 10 and O’Connor into 12 or Mortlock and Tahu at 12 and 13
Barnes: O’Connor to 12 or Mortlock and Tahu at 12 and 13
Mortlock: Tahu to 13 or (Same as above) Ashley-Cooper to 13, O’Connor to 15
Mitchell: (Same as above) Ashley-Cooper to 11, O’Connor to 15
Turner: (Same as above) Ashley-Cooper to 14, O’Connor to 15
Ashley-Cooper: (Same as above) O’Connor to 15.
If both wings go down you stick Mortlock on one, AAC on the other and O’Connor at fullback.
I’m not necessarily arguing that the above is better but it’s definitely an option.
June 2nd 2009 @ 5:30pm
Even looser said | June 2nd 2009 @ 5:30pm | Report comment
I’m wondering if I’m going soft in my old age because I actually want Lote to fight his way back into the team by much much working harder at improving his speed, direct running, off loading, catching, etc.
He’s a talent and hopefully this kick up the rectum will register with him as ‘ oops it’s time to work on my speed & skills’ otherwise I won’t be asked to write any more columns.
Then when the Azzuri arrive I want to see him practice the Samoan sidestep and run right over the top of his opposition. He’d soon curry favour with Wallaby fans again.
June 2nd 2009 @ 5:36pm
Brett McKay said | June 2nd 2009 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
I’m with you there Looser, you’d love to see Tuqiri “force” his way into the First XV. If he never plays another Test, it’ll just confirm all the critics thoughts about his so-called ‘protected species’ status..
June 2nd 2009 @ 5:44pm
westy said | June 2nd 2009 @ 5:44pm | Report comment
Hard to do playing on the wing for the waratahs and yes I know turner is a Tah. turner’s pace is exceptional. tuquri bluntly was not blessed with backline who gave him extensive opportunities.
June 2nd 2009 @ 5:49pm
Working Class Rugger said | June 2nd 2009 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
Westy
On the money.
June 2nd 2009 @ 6:08pm
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | June 2nd 2009 @ 6:08pm | Report comment
On Lote – I know he was on the backline of a team that played some stoggy frigging footy and I’m sure Deans would have taken that into consideration. But he had some clangers when he did get the ball & none better than dropping it right over the line. Ah!
As a specialist Winger he needed to make every post a winner and he just didn’t. Dropped ball with the line wide open, forward passes with the line wide open & his damn failure to run straight and hard had everyone scratching their heads. Having said that he played his guts out for the Tahs and maybe sometimes overdid it. Who knows?
On the other hand Lauchie Turner, also playing for the same stingy team, made the absolute most out of every opportunity and how he score on occassions was beyond me. So well done to him.
Hopefully Lote is really hurting over his non selection and out right now running to build on his speed. Use this disappointment Lote to work your way back into contention. There’s nothing Aussies love more than to see someone down who gets up again to have another go.
June 2nd 2009 @ 6:08pm
bailey said | June 2nd 2009 @ 6:08pm | Report comment
I doubt that not having Tuqiri, Tahu or Cross in the team means that they’re not wanted anymore. It seems like Deans is instead wanting to test other players in those positions, and what better way to do it then to have it against The Barbarians. If this was any other team that the wallabies were playing against, you would forsure have Cross, Tahu and Tuqiri in that squad, without a doubt.
June 2nd 2009 @ 6:26pm
TommyM said | June 2nd 2009 @ 6:26pm | Report comment
Cross still has an injured shoulder, so wasn’t in contention anyway. Don’t think that Tahui and Cross will be in the 22 at the same time though(unless Mortlock gets injured), as both would be there as 12/13 cover. Even if Mortlock was injured, AAC covers those possies very well plus 11,14 and 15.
June 2nd 2009 @ 6:33pm
Even looser said | June 2nd 2009 @ 6:33pm | Report comment
BB of B – Deans is no mug and if we’re spotting that Lote’s speed is an issue you can bet he saw it long before us.
I want RD to put Lote under the control of good sprinting coach and get his speed up to turbo charged. May also mean he needs to stay out of the weights room at the gym and just focus on speed, speed and more speed.
June 2nd 2009 @ 6:43pm
Rusty Beef said | June 2nd 2009 @ 6:43pm | Report comment
Lote will absolutely cut sick next game he comes on. He’s been dropped before and has come back everytime with magnificent fury.
I’d like to see him picked on the bench against the italians and come on with about 30 mins left. Given that scenario I really think he will destroy their outside backs both offensively and defensively. I could see this as a good tactic to apply against the south africans and Kiwis – impact play when australia typically goes hiding.