Lote Tuqiri has again been overlooked in the Wallabies side to face France in Saturday’s Test match at ANZ Stadium.
Australia coach Robbie Deans made nine changes to the side that beat Italy 34-12 in Melbourne last week, but the rugby league convert was not one of them.
Captain Stirling Mortlock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter and Benn Robinson were all named in the starting side on Tuesday having been rested against Italy.
Teenage sensation James O’Connor, Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, David Pocock, Peter Kimlin, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander and Pek Cowan all made way.
O’Connor, Cross, Pocock, Polota-Nau and Alexander move reserves bench, while Hynes, Cooper, Kimlin and Cowan have all been omitted from the squad, along with Tuqiri and fellow convert Timana Tahu.
“This is the combination we feel will serve us best this weekend,” Deans said.
“We got a lot out of last week’s game in Melbourne and certainly weren’t disappointed with the effort of any of the players involved.
“That outing has allowed us to broaden our depth in terms of exposing other players to Test match conditions.
“We will see the benefits of that moving forward.”
The nine returning players bring with them a collective total of 397 caps, adding a considerable amount of experience to the side that beat Italy.
Australian team: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Phil Waugh, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Ryan Cross, James O’Connor.
Campbell
Guest
Fair call to Robbie, He's come out and explained the reason for an all out attack at the breakdown - hence 3 No 7's so spot on!
Broken Knees
Guest
Agree with Well Well great backline at last we have some pace to burn. Its good to see the wingers going back to back up the fullback to give him more options than just kicking the ball back to the opposition.
Derm
Roar Guru
5 of the French team gone home injured already. Have the French just turned up for New Zealand and now have got bored, and the team goes awol? Easy Wallaby win on the cards as the French go 'experimental' for Saturday.
Well Well
Guest
Backline looks 1st choice to me. Thumbs up.
Vincent
Guest
Several times we have said in this blog that Tiquiri is overrated...well..he has been found out...he might be big and once upon a time quick but he is not a rugby union winger...once deans gets his combinations which he is in teh process of doing...I don't think LT will feature any more...should be a cracker of a game though, a true test of where the Wallabies really are.
retired rucker
Guest
I see our weakest position this weekend is blindside. Mumm IMO is not a 6 and his performance at lock has been lackluster, I hope he fires up for the French. On last weeks preformance I would've thought Kimlin would start over Mumm When Rocky's back we will still have the worry of not having a quality replacement at 6. I'm hoping we are going to see some quick crisp passing from Burgess. Based on the Frenchs effort last week the whole forward pack better step up the hardness factor
johnny the monkey
Guest
I played against tuquri on saturday in club rugby land. I can see why him and tahu arent getting a run. West Harbour backs arent giving them the ball, and neither were ever really known to go looking for work, especially since their salaries jumped higher than Carl Lewis in 84... If Robbie Deans see's the footage, he will hardly even know these 2 guys played... David Pocock should be starting in my opinion! cheers, Monky
Jason
Guest
When back from injury add Elsom, Palu, Ioane and possibly Genia to the 22 and it looks like a good team. Cross deserves his place on the bench. Played really well the other day. Cooper was ordinairy in the S14 and was ordinairy on the weekend.
Campbell
Guest
TommyM, You wouldn't be a Force supporter by chance? :-)
Who Needs Melon
Guest
I agree too. You have a couple of guys on the bench who are essentially specialist 7s covering positions 4 through 8. Dean Mumm is obviously only there until Rocky is fit again but jeez I hope he does something other than just turn up this weekend. I'd prefer Peter Hynes on the bench too. He is a better winger and therefore better cover for 11 and 14 and if Mortlock is injured, move AAC to 13 and put JoC on at 15. Is Cross a better 13 than AAC? Maybe they are still sowing Hynes ear back on.
TommyM
Guest
Campbell- Check out Pocock's stats. He is a VERY effective ball carrier. If I remember rightly, he made double or more PW's for the S14 season. Peter K- Brown is an outstanding option in the lineout. Very reliable even though not that tall. Often jumps at 2. Brett- Cross cover 12-15. O'Connor is the inside back reserve. Cooper istead of Cross as well would leave no cover out wide (plus would be a liability in defense I think at this level).
Ben C
Guest
There is a certain lack of balance in the reserves. As a Tahs supporter, I demand Phil Waugh start all further matches!! Realistically, Smith has to start and I would use Waugh on the bench against New Zealand, as Waugh seems to lift against McCaw and use Pocock against the South Africans. Woops, did I just recommend a rotation policy?
Brett McKay
Guest
must agree with all of you, I would have had Kimlin and Cooper on the pine for Waugh and Cross, both add more versatility across several positions, and in my opinion, both would provide a greater impact. Tahu would even have been a better bench option than Cross. But, I'm sure Aussie Rob knows what he's doing, and the starting XV looks pretty good to me..
Peter K
Guest
I agree Justin. The selection of 2 opensiders really reduces your options. If a lock or Mumm gets injured you then only get 2 jumpers in the lineout. Also if they are playing crap you have to leave them on. Kimlin on the bench would be a better option.
Campbell
Guest
Have to agree Justin, After watching the French forwards overpower the All Blacks in the first test I would have liked to see a bit more grunt on the bench. Sure Waugh is a physical player - but is he a big ball carrier? Getting over the gain line and forcing the French defence to realign, hence slowing their rushing defence, will be crucial. I dont really see PW or DP filling that roll.
Justin
Guest
Why do we need 3 opensides in the 22? Prefer to see Kimlin on the bench and drop Waugh. Its not like Mumm has been carving it up since he has been there. Otherwise I dont really see any surprises or major issues.