News Limited is reporting George Smith is a bolter for the Wallabies openside flanker position, with Michael Hooper to be moved to the bench.
Smith appearance would be his first since 2009; his 111th Test, and likely his last for Australia.
A medial ligament knee injury had ruled Smith out of contention for the Lions series – which he also played in 2001.
However, he has returned from injury in just five weeks, after being given a 12-week period to recover.
Liam Gill is expected to miss selection, with Robbie Deans expected to make far less changes than his Lions counterpart in Warren Gatland, who has five changes to his starting Lions XV.
As reported earlier, the Western Force’s Ben McCalman has been a shock addition to the Wallabies bench to cover the for No. 6 and No. 8 positions in a 6-2 bench split.
The only other expected change to the line-up is Rob Horne making way on the bench for McCalman.
Expected Wallabies team to play the British and Irish Lions on Saturday – to be announced at 3pm on Thursday – for the final Test against the British and Irish Lions.
1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill (capt.)
5. Kane Douglas
6. Ben Mowen
7. George Smith
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Will Genia
10. James O’Connor
11. Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Israel Folau
15. Kurtley Beale
Reserves
16. Saia Faingaa
17. James Slippper
18. Sekope Kepu
19. Rob Simmons
20. Ben McCalman
21. Michael Hooper
22. Nick Phipps
23. Jesse Mogg
Cattledog
Roar Guru
LOL. You're right Mick. You've reminded me about arguing with fools. They generally drag you down to their level then beat you with experience. I'll be more selective in future. Any league on tonight?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
There's no point in engaging in the discussion at times Cattledog, when it degenerates so. I'm more amused than dismayed though most of the time 'cos much of it reminds me of easily excitable 13 year old schoolboy days.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
You think Deans is wonderful, Rob G. I don't. My expectations don't include mediocrity. Yours obviously do. That's fine, each to their own.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Get off your knees, Rob G, it's embarrassing...try a new chestnut, the league forums lost its zest. Try thinking outside the square...no wait...try thinking, you might surprise yourself. Doubtful, but who knows...
Rob G
Guest
You will not be missed. See ya.
Rob G
Guest
Every comment you have every written is anti deans rubbish. Absolutely no analysis goes into anything you say. You're a waste of time.
Rob G
Guest
Because you know so much more than a past all black, the most successful coach in super rugby history and the international coach of a top 3 nation in the world. Give yourself an uppercut cattledog. You're out of your depth. Get back to the league forums.
RebelRanger
Guest
Ah yes Mania I did not consider the scrum. Its evident in these tests that Hooper/ Gill do not have the nous that the experienced GSmith and Pocock possess. In the long run though, this is something that can be improved. In regards to fat mans track, Bismark du Plessis reads the game equally as good as the back rowers. He's efficient and gets to the breakdowns effectively in general play. Pocock won't be as influential at set pieces but the quicker players (Hooper/ Gill/ Faingaa) should develop in their breakdown game. Pocock might be the best option now, but in the long run and for the benefit of the team as a whole, its of my opinion he would be best at hooker.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
20 years Rob!!! I'm already making enquiries...lol
Cattledog
Roar Guru
No, that would be unfair. How much do you want to take him?
mania
Guest
nah rebel - pocock in hooker cant escape the scrum as quick to hassle the backs which is something he's excellent at. pocock knows how to cover the field, read the game and run the fat mans track to get where he needs to. at hook that would b seriously be hampered. pocock hasnt lost his position. no one is a better 7 than he is. just like ppl calling for richie to move to 6, i say no one is a better 7 so he gets to stay there. agree about the crooked scrum feeds. i'm sure its getting worse. pointed it out on saturday when genia was doing it all game. the thrower in doesnt have to be a forward, just the best person at it.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Yeah Mick, done like a dinner. My retort was removed by the mods...shouldn't have used 'breasts on a bull' in the vernacular :) Needless to say a cattledog shows more intelligence that Rob and his mate 'G' put together...lol. Don't you just love the stereotyping. Leaguie...PLEASE!! Shows as much shallow analysis as Mr Philipson ;)
RebelRanger
Guest
Mania- can only imgaine what its gonna be like at their house this summer when Julian is off AB duties. Why hook when every scrum feed is crooked anyway? haha and yeah if someone else can throw all the more better, surely one of the props had hooker aspirations and can throw! If all Pocock offers is pilfering then moving him to hooker is perfect! He has the same positioning in defense allowing him to still pilfer, whilist having someone at 7 that both pilfers and plays the other roles of a 7. In the tight test matches, foward runners and link players will make all the difference. Get the best of both Worlds.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
I know a bit about rugby, John. Your comments show your depth of knowledge to be very shallow. Yes, probably shows immaturity, like the ARU re-signing this stroker BEFORE the RWC!! Mate, show some analysis in your comments and you may be taken a little more seriously. I note you've had to wait a while to 'have a go' since my last foray into your shallow comments. If Deans was a CEO he would have been sacked for incompetence by now by the poor suffering shareholders. Your support of such a poor performer belies the coat and tie you wear. Watch out Johnno doesn't take you to task...lol
LS
Guest
All right, I will correct myself. No doubt his contract will not be renewed. My current doubts are only related as to when they will kick him out. Before the European spring tour, or after. Could slot in nicely to have the coach take them away on tour and get the bond with them that way. Been done very well by aussies before.
dahl
Guest
Pocock hasn't died. He's just injured. And he's still ahead of Gill, Hooper, and Faingaa next year. It would be nice to retain GS as well. But he'll be off again at the end of the year. 5 open sides like that running around in S15 for Aus would be a thing of beauty! GS versus Pocock? I'm still with GS myself, for combined ball running ability and strength at the breakdown/tackle. Pocock's arguably stronger over the ball (marginal though), but still doesn't match it for all round skillset.
mania
Guest
rebel - agree about ardie. he's gonna be a great player. hopefully he works in the off season like his bro julian does and comes back each season a little better. moving pocock to hooker is easy enough. hookers dont actually hook anymore and are just a middle prop nowadays. but he'll need to work on his line out throws ro someone else should take them (someone with a basketball background) but pocock is the best 7 in aus, why would u want to move him? turnovers is such a crucial part of the game and when defence is most vulnerable. pocock has theat xFactor to change the entire game in a flash
RebelRanger
Guest
I wouldn't say great, he's good. His ridiculous physique won't allow him to be much of a runner until he slims down which he won't do as it will affect his pilfering. I'm with the few people that think Pocock needs to make the move to hooker. Become a Bismark dP type player (I must confess I am a back and have no idea how difficult this would be). Ardie looked good in that game against Sth Africa til he got injured. Definitely one for the future if ABs persist with the expansive game, the guy runs like a back!
mania
Guest
easy on rebel. pocock is still a great player even if he has over specialised in one aspect of the game. he tried to introduce a running game last season, but i reckon he should start working on his off loads. one thing of note, aus has had a btch of time replacing pocock. ardie def schooled gill but then next game he was pretty average before going to the JWC. be good to see how he goes next year. if he is anything like his bro julian i expect to see huge improvements over the summer.
RebelRanger
Guest
When he didn't develop any dimensons other than pilfering.