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Wallabies team to play France announced: Will Genia axed

The Tahs head to the Republic to face the Lions. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
3rd June, 2014
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The Wallabies have announced the 23 players for the team that will take the field against France in their first Test of the international season.

Coach Ewen McKenzie was expected to stick solid with most of his troops from last year’s end-of-year tour, but has chosen to make a number of changes. Stephen Moore will lead a side that also looks quite different from the side you picked as The Roar‘s Wallabies team yesterday.

Key changes include choosing lock Sam Carter to debut. He will partner Rob Simmons in the second row, with James Horwill moving back to the bench, leaving no room for Rebels big man Luke Jones.

Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley will take over from the injured Quade Cooper at flyhalf, and James Slipper will partner Sekope Kepu in the front row, meaning there’s no room for young Brumby Scott Sio.

Pek Cowan and Paddy Ryan take up the propping spots on the bench. Wycliff Palu also comes into the number 8 position after a strong season to date with the Waratahs.

Here is the full Wallabies team named to play France:

1. James Slipper (Reds)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (Brumbies)
3. Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
4. Rob Simmons (Reds)
5. Sam Carter (Brumbies
6. Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
7. Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (Waratahs)
9. Nic White (Brumbies)
10. Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
11. Nick Cummins (Force)
12. Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)
15. Israel Folau (Waratahs)

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
17. Pek Cowan (Force)
18. Paddy Ryan (Waratahs)
19. James Horwill (Reds)
20. Ben McCalman (Force)
21. Nick Phipps (Waratahs)
22. Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
23. Pat McCabe (Brumbies)

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McKenzie was confident this team reflected the form players in Australian rugby.

“We function in a performance environment and so it’s important to reward those who have consistently played at a high level over the course of the season,” McKenzie said.

“This year we’re in a particularly strong position whereby so many of our players have been performing well for their provinces. The margins are so small but it unfortunately does mean that quality players are going to miss out, which is the case for our opening Test against France.

“However, selection will always be a week-to-week proposition at a Test level and the challenge now is for those players chosen to continue playing at the high level we know they can.”

McKenzie also backed his new halves to make the most of their opportunity.

“Nic and Bernard are two players who have had a huge influence in the results of their provincial teams over the past two seasons,” he said.

“I’ve also been pleased to see their development as playmakers since getting a taste of Test rugby last year and you can sense they have a real confidence in running a game.

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“We have a very specific style of game we want to play – the Wallaby way – and their two skill-sets complement each other in ensuring we can deliver our gameplan on the night.

“They’re also established goal-kickers and you can never underestimate the importance of this skill at an international level.”

Adam Ashley-Cooper has been selected to start on the wing, meaning incumbent outside centre Tevita Kuridrani remains in the position he occupied for much of last year. McKenzie has shown he likes the Toomua-Kuridrani centre combination and has stuck with it, despite the change in halves.

Foley will partner Brumbies half Nic White at the base of the scrum, with White getting the nod over Will Genia, who didn’t even make the 23. Nick Phipps, who has been in good form this year, will be White’s deputy for the first Test against the French.

Clearly Genia’s strong performance against the Highlanders wasn’t enough to convince McKenzie to stick with him after a sluggish start to his Super Rugby campaign.

Wycliff Palu and Sekope Kepu also earn starts in gold, despite Kepu starting from the bench in the Waratahs’ last game.

Scott Fardy and Michael Hooper remain in their positions from last year’s end of year tour, with Fardy presenting a crucial third option in the lineout for skipper Moore to aim at.

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Ben McCalman’s strong work at the Force this year has earned him a spot on the bench, and Paddy Ryan will cover Kepu while Pek Cowan will deputise for James Slipper.

Who missed out?
We know who’s made it in, but who missed out?

Western Force skipper Matt Hodgson was never likely to take a starting spot from Michael Hooper, but after the work he’s done at Super Rugby level, can still consider himself unlucky not to be in gold.

Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham also missed the cut. McKenzie has a host of talented backrowers to choose from, but Higginbotham was well in contention for both the six and eight jerseys this year.

Luke Jones is the last one who should consider himself unlucky. He has been one of the form second rowers in Super Rugby, but Sam Carter’s elevation means there’s no room for him or Waratahs giant Will Skelton.

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What do you think Roarers? Is this the team McKenzie should have chosen?

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