Tuqiri overlooked again for Wallabies’ clash with France
By AAP, 23 Jun 2009 AAP is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson, David Pocock, Drew Mitchell, France, James OConnor, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe, Pek Cowan, Peter Hynes, Peter Kimlin, Quade Cooper, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Ryan Cross, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Test match, wallabies
Lote Tuqiri has again been overlooked in the Wallabies side to face France in Saturday’s Test match at ANZ Stadium.
Australia coach Robbie Deans made nine changes to the side that beat Italy 34-12 in Melbourne last week, but the rugby league convert was not one of them.
Captain Stirling Mortlock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter and Benn Robinson were all named in the starting side on Tuesday having been rested against Italy.
Teenage sensation James O’Connor, Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, David Pocock, Peter Kimlin, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander and Pek Cowan all made way.
O’Connor, Cross, Pocock, Polota-Nau and Alexander move reserves bench, while Hynes, Cooper, Kimlin and Cowan have all been omitted from the squad, along with Tuqiri and fellow convert Timana Tahu.
“This is the combination we feel will serve us best this weekend,” Deans said.
“We got a lot out of last week’s game in Melbourne and certainly weren’t disappointed with the effort of any of the players involved.
“That outing has allowed us to broaden our depth in terms of exposing other players to Test match conditions.
“We will see the benefits of that moving forward.”
The nine returning players bring with them a collective total of 397 caps, adding a considerable amount of experience to the side that beat Italy.
© AAP 2012Australian team: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, 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, Phil Waugh, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Ryan Cross, James O’Connor.
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- Explore:
- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson, David Pocock, Drew Mitchell, France, James OConnor, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe, Pek Cowan, Peter Hynes, Peter Kimlin, Quade Cooper, Richard Brown, robbie deans, Ryan Cross, Stephen Moore, Stirling Mortlock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Test match, wallabies
Justin said | June 23rd 2009 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Why do we need 3 opensides in the 22? Prefer to see Kimlin on the bench and drop Waugh. Its not like Mumm has been carving it up since he has been there. Otherwise I dont really see any surprises or major issues.
Campbell said | June 23rd 2009 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
Have to agree Justin,
After watching the French forwards overpower the All Blacks in the first test I would have liked to see a bit more grunt on the bench. Sure Waugh is a physical player – but is he a big ball carrier? Getting over the gain line and forcing the French defence to realign, hence slowing their rushing defence, will be crucial. I dont really see PW or DP filling that roll.
Peter K said | June 23rd 2009 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
I agree Justin. The selection of 2 opensiders really reduces your options. If a lock or Mumm gets injured you then only get 2 jumpers in the lineout. Also if they are playing crap you have to leave them on.
Kimlin on the bench would be a better option.
Brett McKay said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
must agree with all of you, I would have had Kimlin and Cooper on the pine for Waugh and Cross, both add more versatility across several positions, and in my opinion, both would provide a greater impact. Tahu would even have been a better bench option than Cross.
But, I’m sure Aussie Rob knows what he’s doing, and the starting XV looks pretty good to me..
Ben C said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
There is a certain lack of balance in the reserves.
As a Tahs supporter, I demand Phil Waugh start all further matches!!
Realistically, Smith has to start and I would use Waugh on the bench against New Zealand, as Waugh seems to lift against McCaw and use Pocock against the South Africans.
Woops, did I just recommend a rotation policy?
TommyM said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Campbell- Check out Pocock’s stats. He is a VERY effective ball carrier. If I remember rightly, he made double or more PW’s for the S14 season.
Peter K- Brown is an outstanding option in the lineout. Very reliable even though not that tall. Often jumps at 2.
Brett- Cross cover 12-15. O’Connor is the inside back reserve. Cooper istead of Cross as well would leave no cover out wide (plus would be a liability in defense I think at this level).
Who Needs Melon said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
I agree too.
You have a couple of guys on the bench who are essentially specialist 7s covering positions 4 through 8.
Dean Mumm is obviously only there until Rocky is fit again but jeez I hope he does something other than just turn up this weekend.
I’d prefer Peter Hynes on the bench too. He is a better winger and therefore better cover for 11 and 14 and if Mortlock is injured, move AAC to 13 and put JoC on at 15. Is Cross a better 13 than AAC?
Maybe they are still sowing Hynes ear back on.
Campbell said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
TommyM,
You wouldn’t be a Force supporter by chance?
Jason said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
When back from injury add Elsom, Palu, Ioane and possibly Genia to the 22 and it looks like a good team. Cross deserves his place on the bench. Played really well the other day. Cooper was ordinairy in the S14 and was ordinairy on the weekend.
johnny the monkey said | June 23rd 2009 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
I played against tuquri on saturday in club rugby land. I can see why him and tahu arent getting a run. West Harbour backs arent giving them the ball, and neither were ever really known to go looking for work, especially since their salaries jumped higher than Carl Lewis in 84… If Robbie Deans see’s the footage, he will hardly even know these 2 guys played…
David Pocock should be starting in my opinion!
cheers,
Monky