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Wallabies' shake-up for two-Test tour

17th September, 2014
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Will Genia returns but Will Skelton has been axed as the Wallabies look to restore pride and snare some silverware on their two-match tour of South Africa and Argentina.

Three weeks after opposing the All Blacks, Skelton was left out of an injury-hit 28-man squad that will complete the Rugby Championship with Tests against the Springboks in Cape Town on September 27 and the Pumas in Mendoza on October 4.

Coach Ewen McKenzie on Wednesday opted to take a bare minimum of three second-rowers in his tour party with starting pair Rob Simmons and Sam Carter, plus former captain James Horwill.

Horwill was preferred ahead of Skelton for a reserves spot in narrow home wins over South Africa and Argentina, while the 135kg NSW Waratahs lock failed to impress in the NRC for the Sydney Stars.

McKenzie said in addition to Skelton desperately needing more game time in the NRC to regain match fitness ahead of the Wallabies’ spring tour of Europe, the 22-year-old was lacking the necessary lineout prowess to cope with the Springboks’ world-class set piece.

“Playing against the (Victor) Matfields and the like, you’ve got to have a lot,” McKenzie said. “There’s a lot of microskills.

“Will’s a young guy who’s developing. We threw him in the deep end a bit with France to see where he’s up to.

“He’s a guy we like; he’s got a lot of character, he adds to the group, but he’s still a young player.

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“So he doesn’t tick every box.”

The coach has selected 16 touring forwards and 12 backs, recalling veteran NSW prop Benn Robinson for the first time this year as well as Genia, who returns from injury to add pressure on fellow halfbacks Nick Phipps and Nic White.

“Will’s actually been working really hard. He’s looked really fit and enthusiastic,” McKenzie said.

“He’s in a good frame of mind mentally. In the end, it will get down to form and what we need on the day – but he’s in the mix.

With hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau among the long list of 13 tour contenders unavailable, the fairytale story of 33-year-old coal miner Josh Mann-Rea remains alive.

Ninth-string rake Mann-Rae, who sat on the bench for the full 80 minutes against the Boks in Perth, will compete with Saia Fainga’a for a reserves role behind James Hanson.

Vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper has overcome a nerve problem affecting his neck to be set for his 98th cap in Cape Town, where he’ll likely replace Peter Betham (foot) on the wing.

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While the Bledisloe Cup has already been lost for another year, the Wallabies can regain the Mandela Challenge Plate with success over the Springboks.

McKenzie said it was imperative his side delivered at Newlands after losing fans’ respect with their 50-21 loss to the All Blacks last month in Auckland.

“It’s another significant moment,” he said.

“The next 10 days, there’s opportunities there that can create reputation and create credibility.

“We’ve been pretty consistent, but we still haven’t won everyone over and we’re our own toughest critics and we need to keep at it.”

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