With his Wallabies now a mob of walking wounded after five gruelling Tests in as many weeks, Robbie Deans will hand his tour toilers and emerging stars an opportunity to shine in Wednesday night’s clash with the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium.
Deans’ initial 34-man touring squad was already down to 31 before he lost at least another three more troops in Saturday’s brutal loss to Wales at Millennium Stadium.
Peter Hynes (eye), Stirling Mortlock (concussion) and Nathan Sharpe (broken thumb) will all sit out the tour-ending fixture, while Mark Chisholm (cheekbone), Hugh McMeniman (head knock), Richard Brown (finger) and Quade Cooper (finger) are also battling injury.
Deans said third-string halfback Brett Sheehan and rookie lock Peter Kimlin would both make their first appearances of the tour, while exciting teenager James O’Connor will also be given game time, as will several other fringe players.
“We’re obviously looking to blokes who are fresh. Anyone who is fit,” Deans said on Sunday.
“When we name the team, we’re going to give everyone access essentially. For good reasons; it’s been a big stretch. Everyone’s worked equally as hard.
“Kimlin will have a jersey on, which he is pretty excited about. Brett will have a jersey on, we’ll wait and see what number. James will have a jersey on.
“They’ve all worked hard. They’ve been patient to that end. They’ve all chipped in and done their bit.
John Eales Medallist George Smith is likely to captain the side in a match marking 100 years since Australia won the rugby gold medal at the 1908 London Olympics.
The Wallabies will be up against a world-class, all-star line-up featuring the likes of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, Springboks including John Smit, Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger, Wales’ newly-crowned IRB player of the year Shane Williams and former Australian captain George Gregan at halfback.
Deans said the Wallabies were treating the match seriously without stressing over the outcome.
“We’re wearing the jersey so to that end it’s important. It’s important to the individuals,” he said.
“But the reality is, it’s not a Test match. So the shackles will be off to some extent.
“It’s a tricky situation. It’s a genuine tricky situation because you’re representing your country and you’re representing yourself and you’re up against a world XV who is uninhibited and probably pretty excited about expressing themselves.
“So it’s not easy. But, having said that, it’s a great opportunity.”
Winger Lote Tuqiri urged the Wallabies to finish their European tour with a bang.
Tuqiri was shattered to have lost 21-18 at Millennium Stadium – a result which denied the Wallabies a rare northern hemisphere sweep of the four Tests – but said there was no point stewing over the defeat.
“It’s a bit of an empty feeling,” he said.
“But everyone says it was the last game but we’ve still got one more game to go on Wednesday and hopefully we can finish the tour off well in that sense.”
PB
Guest
I watched the game. All I saw was more of the same: kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick. So much for Barbarian rugby. As a spectacle it was utterly tedious.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I don't think there's enough South Africans in the Barbarians side.
Ben C
Guest
stillmissit I agree. A McCaw/Burger/Collins backrow is not the recipe for a casual day in the office for the Australian backrowers. Rico Gear at 13 is a weak choice so if Mortlock brings his power game he may find gaps and if his head were still in one piece and he could play. There is a slim chance as they have picked a muppet at 10 which could cripple the backline.
stillmissit
Guest
This is not going to be another 'throw it around fest' looking at the Barbarian team we are in for a tough trip to Wembley. Barbarians: Percy Montgomery, Joe Rokocoko, Rico Gear, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Francois Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Richie McCaw, Schalk Berger, Jerry Collins, Johann Muller, Bakkies Botha, Cencus Johnson, John Smit (capt), Federico Pucciarello. Res: Mark Regan, Rodney Blake, Chris Jack, Nick Koster, George Gregan, Ollie Smith, Shane Williams. Anyone thinking this group of guys coached by White and my #1 hated coach of all time Jones will not want to win and would rather throw it around are dreaming. This game could be tougher than Wales. LAS - Lote is a drop kick always was and always will be and the media who quote him continuously are in the same bucket. I have seen him play about 4 good games for Australia the rest of the time he has been a show pony. Lets see HIM finish the trip off with a bang. I would love to eat my words on Thursday.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
On the money as usual LAS. An Australian rugby player engaging in "off field antics"? I thought we'd gotten rid of all such characters. Don't shatter my hopes by telling me O'Conner is another Henjak.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
BTW, lets not continue to quote Tuqiri, as tho he is the spokesman for the team and team sage. I am not interested if he is shattered or has a bit of an empty feeling after the wales game. For someone who lacks the motivation and self control to train on his own, and hence is still on the Spring Tour, and is unable or unwilling to improve his speed to the point that he will back himself one on one, he can hardly be shattered!!! He is not up to this standard any more, if he ever was. He is blocking the path of other more effective and promising players, like Turner!!! I admit that I find it interesting that Sports hyperbole can take "a bit of an empty feeling" and turn it into "shattered".
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
A great occasion and just reward for the likes of Sheehan and Kimlin. O'Connor has already been rewarded by being on a Wallabies at such a young age, and still being their despite his off field antics, so I hear. As regards the shackles, does that mean we will see effective, cohesive back line play at pace and with precision, the backs equivalent of the forwards set pieces??? If so, it raises the point as to why such play hasnt been part of the tactics of the team in the previous 14 games, particularly when Robbie Deans is a former fullback and the current backs coach!!!