Queensland teenager Luke Morahan will link up with the wounded Wallabies for the final fortnight of their grand slam tour after fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper suffered a minor quad strain in Australia’s 20-20 stalemate with Ireland.
With centres Berrick Barnes (ankle), Stirling Mortlock (calf) and Rob Horne (hamstring) all ruled out of the tour, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has drafted in Morahan as backline insurance after Digby Ioane (shoulder) also ended Sunday’s Test battered and bruised.
The Wallabies fly to Edinburgh on Monday to prepare for three games in a week to conclude the tour.
Saturday’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield will be followed by a Tuesday night clash with Cardiff and the tour finale against Wales on Saturday week at Millennium Stadium.
Morahan is an Australian sevens representative who made his debut for the Reds during this year’s Super 14 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
He will link with the Wallabies in Edinburgh, where Deans is hoping his young squad – with an average age of just 24 – bounces straight back after Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll scored in the final minute at Croke Park to deny Australia the chance to complete a sweep of wins over the four home nations.
“Obviously they’re hurting now and they’re not enjoying that, but they’ll hang tough and they’ll pick themselves up and we’ll push on,” Deans said.
“There’s still a lot of things that they can be proud of and we’ve got a good week’s work ahead of us.
“We’ve still got the incentive of leaving these shores unbeaten.”
Despite the near miss in Dublin, Deans believes it was another step forward for the rebuilding Wallabies, who went oh so close to ending Ireland’s eight-Test winning run with a team featuring just five survivors from Australia’s 2007 World Cup quarter-final loss to England.
“So this group is really making headway and we’ve got a lot of fun in front of us,” he said.
“It’s evident the team’s making progress, as are individuals within it.
“Quade (Cooper) is a good example of a bloke who a year ago was just a kid. He’s growing into a man.
“You could look across the board and any number of them (are similar). There’s not too many that have been around for too long.”
At just 21, David Pocock is another case in point.
Selected to start ahead of veteran flanker George Smith, Pocock was named man of the match at Croke Park in a dominant display from the entire Wallabies forward pack.
“The scrum was magnificent. I’ve never seen it go better than that,” Deans said.
Cattledog
Guest
Maybe, but every cloud has a silver lining. As I said before...watch this space!
Klestical
Guest
except that berrick left at perhaps the worst possible time. f*kin reds for letting this happen!!!
Brett McKay
Guest
Greg, my understanding is that Mortlock was only offically ruled out late last week, which then allowed Morahan to be called up. References to 35 would be counting Mortlock, who was to have joined the tour after the Ireland Test.
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
Does anyone know if Mortlock was replaced in the Wallaby squad, and if so then who it is? All last week (before Morahan was chosen), I kept seeing references to Australia's "35-man squad", implying that there was a Mortlock replacement on board. But even Google could not find me any information on a replacement.
Sandy B
Guest
Has played a lot at 15 - last time I checked that was an outside back
bennalong
Guest
Morahan is unlikely to make an appearance. He's there in case of injury. Ione's shoulder looks "iffy" but he played on and is not under an injury cloud.
Justin
Guest
Hangas is a 5/8 not an outside back, pretty straight forward why he wasnt picked...
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Comrade Bear, don't lose heart. Look how QLD Schoolboys have faired against NSW in the last couple of years. There's some exciting talent still to make their way through the bigger system...and the coach I was referring to wasn't Link! Give them a season or two...I think 2010 will still be development. However, the WC year could prove a watershed in QLD rugby.
Comrade Bear
Guest
Tongue in cheek - yes. I guess my head is saying "don't get carried away" as every year - about this time - I start to get excited about the Reds and feel that they are *finally* are on their way up. In the past this has lasted until about Round three :) Though I cannot deny - I do feel that things are a little different this time around. Only time will tell I guess. I also feel that Link et al will attract some quality players to the Reds - even with Melbourne starting up in 2011. Again I guess only time will tell.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Is the '...before he got a chance to leave the Reds' comment tounge in cheek or a statement of fact? You may be surprised to learn that a number of up and comers have knocked back more lucrative deals to remain with the Reds. There are numerous reasons to want to stay including a coach who has nurchered many of these blokes through schoolboy rugby and will make an impact in the not too distant future. And I agree with Formeropenside...watch this space!
Sandy B
Guest
How could we know if he is never tried - surely this was the opportunity
formeropenside
Guest
Soon the wheel will turn and the Reds will be back in their rightful place at the pinnacle of Australian rugby, despite now having a ex-Tah Victorian as coach.
Comrade Bear
Guest
You'll be seeing a lot more of Luke Morahan also - he is quality. But don't blame him for his selection - he just happenned to get selected before he got chance to leave the Reds. Daniel Halangahu is a good club player agreed - but that is all.
Sandy B
Guest
Does this selection mean that Daniel Halangahu is the Stuart Clark of Australian rugby. I mean what does this guy have to do to make the next step. He dominated in Club Rugby this year - admittedly behind a strong pack. He kept Beale out of the Waratahs for much of the S14. He can play almost anywhere in the backline. Haven't we got enough Reds in the Wallabies - um - where did they come in the S14?! Looks like Andrew Hilditch has infiltrated the Wallabies selection panel. Well what would I know - I'm just a disgruntled old piggy.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Now here's a guy who can make a difference. Hope he gets a run against Cardiff.