Hape to threaten Giteau, as Wilkinson is benched
By Jim Morton, 11 Jun 2010
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England coach Martin Johnson has warned the Wallabies there’s nothing defensive in his selection of former New Zealand rugby league centre Shontayne Hape on Saturday night.
While 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson will have to bide his time on the bench at Subiaco Oval, the powerful Hape will oppose Matt Giteau at inside centre in his Test debut.
The 29-year-old, who qualifies after living in England for eight years, joins a select band of five players to have become a dual international for two separate countries.
Johnson is an unavowed fan of the former Warriors star who played 14 league Tests and switched codes in 2008 after a highly-successful stint with the Bradford Bulls.
While the 102kg Hape will significantly outweight the elusive Giteau, Johnson denied he was picked for his defence and would prove a handful in attack for the Wallabies young backline alongside veteran Mike Tindall.
“Shontayne and Mike are both very skilful with the ball in hand,” he said.
“Shontayne has a very good passing game and off-load game ans is very drect and is a very dangerous attacker.
“I have been very impressed with him.
“He’s one of those guys that seems to have a bit more time than most, he’s very composed.”
Lote Tuqiri (for Fiji and Australia), Brad Thorn, Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo ar the only other code-crossers two have represented different nations.
Hape sports a Maori tattoo but is honoured to finally be starting his first Test after illness denied him the opportunity on the eve of this year’s Six Nations.
He bounced back to star in England’s pre-tour 36-25 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham almost a fortnight ago.
“I am proud to pull on that England jersey, I’ve been over here for eight years, my kids were born here and it is home to me now, so I feel very comfortable with it,” he said then.
“It’s a great honour and I will be going out there not only representing my country – England – but my family that live here and all my friends.”
Hape takes over at No.12 from injured fellow Kiwi Riki Flutey and is one of four changes from the England team that lost the final Six Nations game against France.
Veteran hooker Steve Thompson and lock Tom Palmer both start after coming off the bench in Paris while there is a return from injury for flanker Tom Croft.
Five-eighth Toby Flood ensured Wilkinson, who returned to form in the French premiership with Toulon, will cool his heels on the bench.
Captained by Lewis Moody, England are chasing their first victory over the Wallabies on Australian soil since the 2003 World Cup final, when Wilkinson kicked the winning field goal in extra-time.
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (11) | Page 1 of Comments
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June 11th 2010 @ 4:37am
Ben said | June 11th 2010 @ 4:37am | Report comment
Martin John whilst a fine player really is rubbish as a coach and selector. Hape will be shown up immediately by giteau and johnson has to stop grasping at straws…leave the backs to someone who knows what he is doing…its the same as banahan selected before matthew tate on occasions. Mike tindal is so old he must be close to a pension and it takes years to recognise the talent he has on the shelves. England could select a fast deceptive and dangerous backline if given the right choices….but they refuse. watch what happens on saturday when Horne and Giteau and Oconnor tear them to pieces.
June 11th 2010 @ 5:11am
Colin N said | June 11th 2010 @ 5:11am | Report comment
Where shall we start:
“Hape will be shown up immediately by giteau and johnson has to stop grasping at straws”
Who else would you choose? Barkely was woeful against the Aussie Baabaas. Admitedly, if he had Tindall beside him then it may have been different, but if he’s selecting on form……
“its the same as banahan selected before matthew tate on occasions”
What do you mean? Banahan is a winger, Tait is an outside centre.
“Mike tindal is so old he must be close to a pension and it takes years to recognise the talent he has on the shelves.”
He’s 31 and was one of England’s best players against France and has had a superb backend to the season for Gloucester.
“England could select a fast deceptive and dangerous backline if given the right choices”
Again, who would you pick? It’s about balance. The back three are potent, the half-backs, I believe, are very good and although I don’t personally like the balance of the centres, there aren’t many good 12′s in England, and Barkley wasted his chance on Tuesday.
June 11th 2010 @ 7:03am
Tutu said | June 11th 2010 @ 7:03am | Report comment
Nice to see a good Maori boy helping the English
June 11th 2010 @ 7:31am
Billo Boy said | June 11th 2010 @ 7:31am | Report comment
Hape? Oh dear.
Imagine if the English league team had selected Hape. The Terrorgraph would have ripped the code to shreads over it.
Sureyl there are enough of our own fine English lads still playing the rugger game that we don’t need to resort to calling upon imported stock.
June 11th 2010 @ 1:13pm
formeropenside said | June 11th 2010 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Gits out, Barnes to 12, Hynes to the bench. Thats a better balanced side, arguably, if Barnes can be cut out by Cooper on a regular basis.
June 11th 2010 @ 1:14pm
reds fan said | June 11th 2010 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
haha. my thoughts exactly!
June 11th 2010 @ 1:46pm
formeropenside said | June 11th 2010 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
Barnes is not exactly a running threat though – if a defender has to choose between the handoff to an outside man or Barnes on the inside, you’d take the outside man and back yourself to cut down Barnes almost no matter the headstart he had.
June 12th 2010 @ 1:43am
Parisien said | June 12th 2010 @ 1:43am | Report comment
Barnes will probably kick it away anyway!
June 11th 2010 @ 8:56pm
Maddog said | June 11th 2010 @ 8:56pm | Report comment
Was Craig Gower Not a dual international for two countries?
June 11th 2010 @ 9:37pm
Jerry said | June 11th 2010 @ 9:37pm | Report comment
I think Va’aiga Tuigamala was too – in fact, he switched twice. Union for the All Blacks, League for Samoa, then back to Union and Manu Samoa.
June 11th 2010 @ 9:32pm
Billo Boy said | June 11th 2010 @ 9:32pm | Report comment
And that excuses it? Just as big a joke as Hape’s selection.