The Wallabies team to face the USA this Friday night (6:30pm AEST kickoff) has been announced, with James Horwill allowed to by-pass the match, making Will Genia captain for the first time while the forward line has had a reshuffle following the disastrous loss to Ireland.
David Pocock and James O’Connor are missing through injury, while Horwill was available for selection but Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said the lock’s work-load is the primary reason behind the decision to allow him to by-pass the match.
“James played every match of the Super Rugby season this year and has missed just one Test [of the seven] played by the Wallabies,” said Deans.
“That schedule has taken its toll. He’s had a recurring niggle with his shoulder over the last month. While an MRI earlier in the week cleared him of any major damage, it’s obvious that a break wouldn’t hurt so we have taken that option.”
Genia said he was honoured to lead the Wallabies:
“It’s a huge honour, a big responsibility and an occasion that I’m really looking forward to.
“We’ve got a big job ahead of us. The United States showed against Ireland that they are a totally committed opponent, and our own performance against Ireland, which was not up to the high standards we set for ourselves, will only have offered the Americans further encouragement.”
In the absence of James O’Connor, resting a hamstring niggle, Quade Cooper will be the primary goal kicker
“James had a scan yesterday which revealed a strain at the lowest end of the scale. By missing this week to recuperate, we expect him to be available for the match against Russia,” said Deans
“It’s more of an annoyance than anything but hamstrings are not something that you mess around with.”
In the absence of O’Connor, flyhalf Quade Cooper returns as Australia’s lead-off goal-kicker.
Drew Mitchell will start on the wing in the place of O’Connor, while Rob Horne makes his return to Test rugby at inside centre for Pat McCabe.
Locks Nathan Sharpe and Rob Simmons gain their third Test starts of the season, while James Slipper starts for the first time this year, being named at loosehead prop.
Deans says the changes represent the best selection options for this assignment.
“It’s our second six day turnaround in a row so we’re looking to freshen things up a bit,” he says.
“We are according the USA full respect by opting for the changes we have made,” Deans says, “in order to have a totally fresh and focused team.”
“The responsibility at the Rugby World Cup was always going to fall on the whole group, both in preparation and on match day, and that’s what is happening here. We trust all of our players which is why we are prepared to make the changes that we have for such an important match.”
Hooker Saia Fainga’a, originally included on the bench, was ruled out this morning due to a bout of flu while blindside flanker Scott Higginbotham, who was originally scheduled to play, was withdrawn after jarring his back at today’s training session.
The Wallabies side:
15. Kurtley Beale, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13. Anthony Fainga’a, 12. Rob Horne, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Ben McCalman, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Nathan Sharpe , 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Tatafu Polota Nau, 1. James Slipper
Run on Reserves:
16. Stephen Moore, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Dan Vickerman, 19. Radike Samo, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Berrick Barnes, 22. Pat McCabe
Albo
Guest
Wholeheartedly agree... we shouldn't be in this position to begin with.
mother teresa
Guest
CAPITAL;dont get me wrong(my mistake)genia is fine as capt,what im suggesting is amongst other deans frailies is "how many capts can you have in a short period without conhesion and confluency being adversely affected) one reason waughs not there and sharpe bencher?..not to mention moore. just a thought,time will tell im sure
Capital
Guest
cookee Even if Elsom was named in teh squad - you can't go back to the future. The guys was replaced, not seen as the right man for the job, so you must move forward. And Genia is the obvious replacement IMO - long standing future in the side, close to the action - but not in the trenches, and a smart rugby head.
niwdEyaJ
Guest
not in the team cos he can't tackle... did you watch the canada game? fell off a load of tackles but did look good in attack... he's a 2nd half player when the game opens up a little, wouldn't put him in the firing line when the opposition is fresh... Nonu would target and run all over him.
jokerman
Guest
Barnes, and Mortlock would have been brilliant. the magic with the steel. I have not seen Mortlock play this year, but I was suprised he was not there....I may have missed something... Deans does have a habit of closing the door on aging players a little too soon. Chritian Cullen, Anton Oliver, and not picking a fit Tana Umanga in the '03 RWC semi. It is nearly like he is scared to mix the old with the new. The All Blacks have this blend of youth and old.
Johnno
Guest
Me to, i am watching some old choosey night football rugby league on fox and barry russell and mick neil have more skill than him. Paul sironone looked so big there, and ellery hanley so skilful, and wayen perch. And the sorenson brothers playing and et and mark mcgaw very funny. And the ex commentator an wallaby rex mossop and graham hughes. All very funny tonnes of characters in rugby and rugby league in the 70's and 1980's. Kevin harwick and kerryhemsely to, and Alan wilson kicking goals 2nd rower form the sideline with heavy leather ball. and sand used to kick goals, all a lot of fun. Old school classic days. And back then they were still hitting in rugby league scrums so the scrums meant something. Gavin miller tonnes of skills wallabies could use him at I/C.
jokerman
Guest
A few backward steps here for Australia. The team looks a little light, a few injuries creeping in. I had some slight trepidation with the All Blacks meeting Australia in the final, and Australia having a chance in that match....somehow the thread in the team has unwoven...time will tell, though it’s difficult to see Australia getting past the quarters...if they did, then the All blacks in Semi. I feel the All blacks are really going to do it this time. Wow. One step at a time though…
the other Steve - and AB fan
Guest
Saying he's expendable? I have to say that in a season of going to every Rebel game in Melbourne and watching the rest onscreen, I only ever saw Nick Phipps have one great game where he made a real difference. Really surprised he made the 30!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Surprised Phipps isn't being used. Maybe saving him for Russia?
jeznez
Roar Guru
but if they are looked at as replacements for Faingaa and McCabe you are traing like for like in the lack of experience stakes
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Johnno - it's a sad state of affairs if it's just money that motivates these blokes. It's there job however they are representing there country and have an obligation to do the jersey proud. How often do we see this ? Freddie - Tapuai at least deserved a spot in the 40 man squad based on form and not necessarily a spot in the 22. Guys like Barnes and yes Giteau ( all is forgiven ) are those experienced blokes you need.
soapit
Guest
the point is mate we're two games into a world cup and it seems like they've got no idea who they want in. sure horne may go well but with the evidence we have (zero at 12) he's just as likely to flop. why after 4 years of planning are we having this guesswork going on during the tournament.
soapit
Guest
then why pick him in the squad if he's only going to get a run out of position? i'd love to know whats going on in deans mind with regard to his long term centre options (long as in towards the end of the tournament).
Freddie
Guest
Robbie must be panicking picking Horne at 12 when he has never played a professional game in that position. A RWC game is not the time for experiments even if it is against the USA Also those talking about Tapuai,Harris etc just dont get that World Cups are won by experieced players who have regularly performed at international level. We already have too many players in the squad that dont fit into that category.
Johnno
Guest
Money. Big contracts, and big prizemoney and bonuses if they win RWC.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Blinky - I'd love to know motivates these Wallabies ?
Albo
Guest
Because he’ll get injured by an overzealous American player looking to make an impact on the international stage… Then what use is he to us when we really need him?
Albo
Guest
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Dave - "9.Genia, 10. Cooper, 11. Mitchell, 12. Barnes, 13. AAC, 14. JOC, 15. Beale. I’ve said all year, once digby is fit, he goes to No.13 and AAC to the bench." sure has a good to look to it eh? I'm equally concerned about combinations with all this swapping about crap. So for mine it's get the selections right and let them build combinations (if there's time). Then we're a fighting chance providing he picks the most aggro pack possible and motivates them 'til their eyes bulge. :)
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I thought Tapuai would have got a start in the squad after his excellent S 15 Final game. Go with the form guys. Alas I have run out of patience with McCabe & AF after the Ireland game. Dave I agree with your backline that played France. It is cear that a fit Barnes is required to steady the ship. QC needs him there to take off the pressure. McCabe can add value off the bench as he can play a few positions however Inside centre is not one of them.