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.
reds fan
Guest
Tragic... i'm with you on your thoughts about Gits at 12. He was great there, and again last Sat he looked good there outside Cooper. Why is it then that he keeps on saying I want 10, and Deans keeps on giving it to him. As you quite rightly point out, Barnes has shown he can direct from 10... All i know is that Gits was one of the group that mutinied against Nucifora and believes in player power.. and a leopard never changes its spots.
Muffy
Guest
My 5 cents.. DP 7 GS 8 Thats OK BB 10 MG 12 AAC13 DM 11 PH 14 DM JO 15 Ione to 13 when fit and AAC to bench as utility Just my thoughts Still rebuilding boys..be patient. Win on Sat, one win against the ABs and a Clean sweep in the UK tour. Still keeping my betting money in my pocket though:)
Tragic
Guest
reds fan, although I am likely to believe it someone was to say that gits is a git, i'm not sure I buy the argument of his influence on selection. As the movement of beale to inside centre for the tahs has proven (albeit under different laws) a playmaker of giteau's standard would do well at 12. Barnes has proven his level-headedness for the 10 jumper. Now if we can only keep him on the field for 80mins then we might finish a game. As for Mitchell and Turner and co., can someone please take them aside and show them examples of good attacking opportunities ie when to run the ball, and when to kick it. It seems like the default setting for these guys is the kick rather than the ball in hand.
Tragic
Guest
Agreed. These guys should pratice almost exclusively on their opposing feet. Don,t get me started on lineout throwing. As for the rationale for the wingers, I think that most kicks wingers take are return kicks making a right footer more suited to the left side of the field - i can count on one hand the number of times a winger has received as pass through the backline and then kicked. If I may cut and paste from an earlier post: Robbie Deans has had the good fortune in Canterbury of having freakish talent in key positions on the field with leadership qualities. As well as this there are key fundamentals of the game that are bred into Kiwi players that include catching and passing and rucking and mauling. The ball-carrier in NZ rugby is far more adept at getting into a position when being tackled that promotes ball-retention. Deans is bascially in charge of a group of players that don’t possess these skills like those that he has had the luxury of coaching since 2000 in NZ. He is effectively going to have to change the culture of Australian rugby to effect the type of game plan that is necessary to win rugby matches. And also requires some freaks to eexecute his plan. I'm doubtful he'll be have the time or personnel for the task, which is unfortunate because I actually believe his brand of rugby. Hoping to be proven wrong
reds fan
Guest
Tragic, this is my take on things. Gits is still having a huge influence on Wallabies selections. He wants to be at 10, and is given that. Its no surprise his mate from the Force, Drew Mitchell, has been given another start in front of Hynes. Mitchell has made glaring errors that have cost us Tests, Hynes has been the only one make good kick return metres yet he gets dumped... go figure. Deans is probably very aware of what happened to Nucifora whilst coach at the Brumbies. And we wonder why our team can't improve.
Jameswm
Guest
And I should add it's almost unpardonable that these guys don't kick well with their other foot. It's only a question of practice. I taught myself when I was 11 and my right foot was broken.
Jameswm
Guest
If you pass the ball out the backline you normally kick with your outside foot, so having a left footer on the left wing and a right footer on the right win makes sense. If they're covering back inside their 22 I don't think it makes much difference.
Tragic
Guest
Can anyone explain to me why drew mitchell is on the left wing as a left footed kicker and turner on the right as a right footed kicker.? Turner is uncomfortable chasing back when kicked behind and there was points scored off this deficiency (one try vs SA in SA and carter's penalty off the other). Turner could have relieved with a quick kick in the match against the AB's but was on the wrong foot. Seems like a fundamental to swap these two players. Not happy with Turner's form in any case- Hynes unlucky not to be there. I think that the Wallabies can get up this weekend. Bold predictio: a victory by a converted try.
Ed
Guest
once mortlock and ioane come back from injury the aussie backline will be much bigger. i predict in a year: genia-giteau-ioane-barnes-mortlock-ashleycooper-o'connor i'd rather switch barners and giteau, but it looks a much more devastating backline, with more strike runners and a combination of backs who can kick.
Jameswm
Guest
Guys TPN's throwing has been fine the past few weeks. I agree on most of the changes. I'd have started Palu at 8 and put Smith back to 7. The three wingers are a bit of a toss-up though Mitchell still worries me a bit. And someone needs to give Horwill a boot up the backside.
Harry
Guest
Happy enough with this selection under the circumstances and who's aavailable. Although, as some of you have noted above, its a bit lacking size wise in the back 3 and George at No 8. Go the Wallabies!
reds fan
Guest
Having watched the way Genia has grabbed opportunities at the Reds when they've been presented to him, I am expecting him to really take control of the 9 spot. In last weeks game he threw his no look flick pass on the inside. Unfortunately Digby wasn't there to be flying through... but it shows he is comfortable, and confident, at Test level. He could be a long term Wallaby in the making. And if he proves to be all class, then lets hope his younger brothers continue the tradition. All three Genia boys having been the 9 in the starting XV for the same school. We could be sorted for Wallaby half backs for years to come!
Dexter William
Roar Guru
Smith has not been effective since we burdened him with the captaincy. He is an unnatural and unwilling leader and I think it takes a lot out of him mentally to be captain. The three things that I do not like in this team are: 1) George Smithy playing at 8. He is a pilferer not a carrier. 2) Burgess should not be in the 22. Valentine is better in every way and has the experience to cover Genia. 3) Mitchell makes huge defensive errors too often. We have seen it too many times. He is not cool under pressure. I hope they select a new captain for the end of year tour. Mortlock has been good, but we need a pack leader - Elsom may just be the right person for the job. He has respect not only within Australia, but in world rugby after his whirlwind year in the UK. Referees listen more to a high profile player.
Dexter William
Roar Guru
You had me going until you mentioned Tuqiri.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Well, the Wallabies need to stop the Boks from getting any points to give the All Blacks a chance to compete for the Tri-Nations. Can they do it? Do they want to do it? I wonder if they can win and screw the All Blacks over in the process? That would be cool.
Jolly Jupes
Guest
No.8 requires passing/ball skills which elsom does not have This Wallaby team is physically small so they need to play with pace. I am concerned about the tighthead prop situation. You have three specialist looseheads, two of which are converting accross to tighthead. I would have played Palmer as a tighthead specialist with a future and the ability to put pressure on the Bok scrum (their obvious weakness)
Armchair-critic
Roar Pro
Oh i see..i too would like to see Mitchell and, in particular, Turner making the most of their pace. Especially when they are kicked the ball in open space. Have a go one-on-one and im sure that they will be able to do some damage. I think i remember Turner doing this in the first game of the year against the Baabaas - in and out before using his pace down the sideline? I agree about Lote i bet they wish he could be selected now. IMO Cross is only there because of injuries to Mortlock, Ioane and Horne. These 3 are all ahead of him for mine Regarding Smith i think he is almost exempt from scrutiny (rightly or wrongly) due to the fact that he is having to fill in as captain and clearly gives 100% and has pride in the Australian jersey - this is not something that can be said about the entire squad at the moment
reds fan
Guest
I'm second that Virgil. Hynes is the only one who has shown any inclination of running back at pace and breaking the line. He got lost a couple of times whne getting closed in on by three defenders... one contributor called him a baulker, which i thought was a bit harsh considering the position he found himself in, which was being herded toward the touch line without a clear line to pass to trailing support players.
Jez
Guest
I think you have somewhat missed the point of what I was trying to say so I will try to make it a little clearer... Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting for a second that George Smith should be dropped... It's just that he seems to have escaped any criticism at all for the way that he has actually played in the past couple of tests which given he does not appear to have done anything much struck me as a little odd. And my point about the wingers was more a comment that none of them use their pace at all rather than a suggestion that we have anyone better. But surely, shouldn't someone be telling them that they have been picked because they are quick so they should use their pace? And would Lote not have been a better option at this point ? At least with Lote you would have some-one that the other teams would hesitate before kicking the ball to in open play (remember he was picked by a notable British journalist as the best winger in the world in November) I suppose my point about Ryan Cross was fairly non-sensical, but I just cannot believe that he is still even in the 30 man squad when he has repeatedly failed to perform... How about Tyrone Smith, or Nick Cummings, or Rob Horne? or even Tom Carter...?
Armchair-critic
Roar Pro
George Smith is world-class and would be in my side every day of the week. But has admittedly been quiet - im sure he will be back to his best soon. I dont think we really have any other options for wingers that i can see. And im not too sure what you mean about Cross - he hasnt been picked in the side and rightly so. He didnt make a single tackle in Perth and turned the ball over in the tackle consistently