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Halfback Will Genia and flanker David Pocock get their first starting roles in Tri-Nations rugby amid a selection upheaval as the winless Wallabies seek to reverse their fortunes against unbeaten South Africa on Saturday.
The pair are among five changes made by coach Robbie Deans to the starting team for the Suncorp Stadium clash in the wake of last Saturday’s 32-25 loss to the Springboks in Perth.
Genia will make his Test starting debut replacing the out-of-sorts Luke Burgess at the base of the scrum.
Captain George Smith switches to replace the axed Richard Brown at No.8, allowing youngster Pocock to come in at openside flanker.
Berrick Barnes returns from injury at inside centre, Drew Mitchell ousts Peter Hynes on the wing, and Tatafu Polota-Nau takes over from Stephen Moore as starting hooker.
Barnes’ return sees Adam Ashley-Cooper shift out one backline slot from last week to replace Ryan Cross at outside centre.
Deans says Barnes’ established combination with Genia, whom he has played alongside regularly at the Reds, was a factor.
“Will has shown us since he joined the squad at the start of the Tri-Nations that he is up to this level, and we saw that (off the bench) again last Saturday night,” said Deans.
“Having Berrick, whom he knows so well and has such a great understanding with, playing along side him will also help.”
Deans had no qualms about using world class openside flanker Smith as a No.8.
“George is comfortable at the back of the scrum while Dave (Pocock) has shown, in the opportunities he’s had to date, that he is worthy of a crack from the start.
“Likewise Polota-Nau has earned a starting spot after making an impact from the run on substitutes each time he has been called on.”
Moore moves to the bench alongside Burgess, while Brown has been omitted from the line-up with powerhouse No.8 Wycliff Palu returning on the bench after getting through a hit-out for his Manly club last weekend.
Western Force prop Pek Cowan, who also played club rugby last weekend, has similarly been promoted onto the bench, taking over from Al Baxter.
Flyhalf Quade Cooper has been selected on the bench, subject to proving his fitness after spraining his knee at the end of Saturday’s Test.
Although Australia can no longer win either the Tri-Nations or the Mandela Trophy this year, Deans says the remainder of the competition, and in particular his charges’ last crack at the world’s top ranked team for the year, still offered a major opportunity.
“It’s a Test match and against the world’s best team at one of the premier venues in world rugby. That’s not a prospect any of our blokes would take lightly,”” Deans said.
“Every time you put on your national jumper you want to and expect to – do your best. That motivation doesn’t change, regardless of the circumstance.”
Wallabies; James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, George Smith (capt), David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, Pek Cowan, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Peter Hynes.
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.