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The Wallabies have announced a strong team for their match against the Barbarians on Saturday night at the Sydney Football Stadium. Western Force blindside flanker Matt Hodgson will make his debut for Australia, although he won’t receive a Test cap.
The Sydney-born loose forward, who will celebrate his 28th birthday later this month, has been selected to partner Force team-mate Richard Brown, and George Smith in the Australian loose forward trio.
Stirling Mortlock will again lead Australia, and has been named at outside centre for the match, which sees the Wallabies return to the SFS for the first time since a 41-29 win over New Zealand Maori in 2001.
Other features of the backline include the selection of last year’s regular custodian, Adam Ashley-Cooper, at fullback, where he appeared in nine of his 11 Test matches for the Wallabies last year.
Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell are paired on the wings, while there is also a return in the starting formation of the combination between flyhalf Matt Giteau and inside centre Berrick Barnes.
The twin-playmakers have not started alongside each other for the Wallabies since Australia’s historic 27-15 win over South Africa at Durban on 23 August last year.
In the forward pack, James Horwill is back in the second row after the Queensland Reds captain was forced to miss last year’s Spring Tour due to an operation on a foot-ligament injury.
He will combine with Nathan Sharpe behind Australia’s regular front row from last year’s Test season; props Al Baxter and Benn Robinson, and hooker Stephen Moore.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says the strength of the line-up reflects both the respect with which they hold the Barbarians playing roster, but also their desire to “hit the ground” running as the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series kicks off.
“It’s a high quality line-up we are up against,” Deans says.
“The Barbarians boast proven performers at this level, who are hungry for more success without being burdened by the pressure of expectation that you associate with full Test matches. Because of that, they will be even more dangerous as an opponent. This will be a Test match in every thing but name.”
Deans pointed to December’s match between the two teams in London, which was everything but festival-like in nature, as an example of the type of intensity the fans can expect at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“The Barbarians side we faced last year was a strong one. For experience across the board, this one is even stronger, and they have the advantage on us, in terms of time together to prepare, having played together last weekend when they beat England.”
The Baabaas flexed their muscles at Twickenham last weekend, beating England 33-26.
To oppose the visitors, Australia will field a side that draws on proven performers from last year’s campaign, as well as rewarding some of the form players of the recently concluded Investec Super 14.
Twelve of the players selected today appeared in Australia’s most recent match against the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium in London last December, when the Wallabies prevailed 18-11.
Turner scored the second of Australia’s two tries on that occasion while James O’Connor, who started at fullback on that night but is among the run on reserves this time, handled the goal-kicking and contributed eight points.
As was last year’s practice; players not included in this weekend’s match day squad of 22 who are fit and available for selection will be released to their club’s following Thursday’s Wallabies training session.
The Barbarians, who arrived in Australia yesterday (Monday) morning, announce their line-up for the match tomorrow.
The Wallabies team to play the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday 6 June (7.30pm kick off), is:
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)*
14. Lachie Turner (Waratahs)*
13. Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, captain)
12. Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
11. Drew Mitchell (Western Force)*
10. Matt Giteau (Brumbies)
9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)*
8. Richard Brown (Western Force)*
7. George Smith (Brumbies)*
6. Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
3. Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Run on reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)*
17. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)*
18. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)*
19. David Pocock (Western Force)*
20. Josh Valentine (Western Force)
21. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)*
22. James O’Connor (Western Force)*
* denotes players who featured in December’s match between the Wallabies and the Barbarians in London.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.