Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm has been rushed straight back into the Wallabies forward pack for Saturday night’s Tri-Nations rugby Test against South Africa at Subiaco Oval.
Chisholm replaces injured second-row stalwart Nathan Sharpe in one of four changes to the starting team from the 19-18 loss to New Zealand in Sydney on the weekend.
Prop Ben Alexander replaces the benched Al Baxter in the front-row, while Ryan Cross comes into the centres for the injured Berrick Barnes and 2008 Test rookie of the year Peter Hynes has taken the place of Drew Mitchell on the wing.
Chisholm makes his way back into the Test 15 after just two Sydney club matches for Randwick following a wrist injury during the Super 14.
Coach Robbie Deans has shown immense faith in the 26-year-old by picking him ahead of Waratah Dean Mumm who remains on the bench.
“Chis is good to go,” Deans said. “He’s got a couple of club games under his belt and he was an incumbent prior to his injury.”
Chisholm is also expected to call the lineouts in a massive challenge against the might of Victor Matfield-led Springbok set piece.
The Wallabies’ lineout was dismantled by South Africa in their last meeting, helping the home side to a 29-17 win in Cape Town earlier this month.
Both Rocky Elsom (ankle) and James O’Connor (cork) were named to start after shrugging off injury concerns at training on Thursday morning.
World No.1 South Africa are unbeaten in three Tri-Nations matches this year while Australia is still searching for its first win.
WALLABIES: James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Richard Brown, George Smith (capt), Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Drew Mitchell.
SOUTH AFRICA: Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (capt), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Res: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger, Ricky Januarie, Adi Jacobs, Frans Steyn.
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