Versatile back-rower Ben McCalman is a bench bolter for the Wallabies in a shock move for Saturday night’s series decider against the British and Irish Lions.
Australia have confirmed McCalman will make his international return at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium after failing to play a Test in 2012 due to injury.
The Western Force forward’s inclusion in the 23-man squad presents an intriguing question over who else will line up in the Wallabies back-row and bench.
McCalman, who missed selection in Robbie Deans’ initial 25-man squad six weeks ago, said he was covering blind-side flanker and No.8.
There have been question marks over incumbent No.8 Wycliff Palu’s fitness and ability to overcome a lingering knee problem.
Veteran George Smith is also in the mix to play after overcoming a knee injury and Deans has said he wants improvement at the breakdown where young openside Michael Hooper was outpointed by Sam Warburton in the 16-15 second Test victory.
Deans may take a risk by playing six forwards and only two backs on the bench, including two back-rowers, or could possibly start with two ball-scavengers.
Queensland No.7 Liam Gill was influential when he came off the bench in Melbourne and could also be an option to start.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
McCalman is one of Dingo's fun boys. A grinder at Super Rugby level and terribly out of his depth against quality test sides. Dingo has lost the plot to the extent that I really think he feels like a dead man walking therefore selecting his daughter's favourite players. Lote Tuquiri is a notable absentee....too soon?
Wilson
Guest
Hodgson gets written off far too often and unjustly. The guy out played every Australian opponent this year head to head, including Pocock preseason and King George in Canberra. Even Ritchie Mc says he is the real deal and that he can't understand why he doesn't have a stack of Wallaby caps. His stats for his limited Wallaby minutes also shows that he more than held his own. Only selection twits like Deans and east coast rugby fans write him off so easily. It is Australia's loss that he is only recognised for his talents in WA.
GWS
Guest
And schatz
Justin3
Guest
You left out Colby!
Justin3
Guest
It's not done with hindsight it was said adnauseum at the time the squad was selected. Robinson was in career best form and deserved to go the wc. Again using other coaches decisions is irrelevant IMO. Plenty of roareres suggested the amount of 6/8s in the squad was over kill and left us vulnerable.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Sorry was just throwing up another guy who isn't that fast a runner that I would have ahead of him and who was in the squad. Find it rather insulting that anyone criticising the guys inclusion is some nuff nuff who only likes people who run fast apparently.
Defier Pariah
Guest
Deans followed the trend? Who followed who? What point of difference would having a 7 have made? There was no trend. Just coaches deciding what was the best options and hardly any coaches thought 2 opensides was the right idea. They were not following each other, just making calculated selections based on players available. If Pocock had never been injured, that extra 7 would have been useless. To look back in hindsight and blame Deans for not picking 2 opensides is hardly fair especially when it was what other coaches of high profile teams had (indepenently) decided was the best way to go.
Defier Pariah
Guest
He chose to retire from internationals.
optimistic
Guest
Can someone remind me, where was stGeorge at the time?
expathack
Guest
He's probabky the weakest backrow forward in contact I've seen play for Australia in recent memory. Yes he's a hard worker, we all get that. But we're talking about getting selected for Australia, over Kimlin, MMM and Gill. Not about being good at club level. Your comment about him being more respected if he was in Europe is just plain ridiculous, he'd get completely overpowered over there. He gets away with it in super rugby because there's not as much of a contest at the ruck. But up against NH guys with the power of SOB he's been blasted away before. And it will happen again on the weekend. This is seriously an even more baffling selection than JOC at fly-half. At least he's a world class player, with a proven record in internationals, if in other positions.
warrior_poet
Guest
The xv players that if fit should be selected in the back row ahead of McCalman ( in no order) 1. Palu 2. G Smith 3. Hooper 4. Gill 5. Higginbottom 6. Pocock 7. Alcock 8. Kimlin 9. McMeniman 10. Hodgson 11. Richard Brown 12. Dave Dennis 13. Quirk 14. Aulea 15. Rocky Elsom (yes i went there)
niwdeyaj
Guest
So THATS what Deans meant when he said there will be surprises this weekend... I really expected more from Deans.. Wait, no I didn't...
rl
Guest
Tragic tale - Robbie would have named Dennis but apparently they can't find him. The police aren't too concerned yet because he has a history of going missing.
zigzag
Guest
does any one actually read posts!!!! jeznez read my post before commenting!!!! i hven't said he is better than Kimlin. I'd probably have kimlin there before mccalman. i'm just saying mccalman is a good player.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
We all been screaming for Kimlin to come off the bench and he goes with journeyman McCalman ?? He brings little if any impact from the bench. He is an honest toiler, that's it.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Robbie will never be accused of not being true to form. Barnes at 15 anyone?
Amateur Hour
Guest
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/veteran-flanker-george-smith-set-to-return-to-wallabies-starting-side-for-decisive-lions-test/story-fni2g0wi-1226673721681
PM
Guest
Very surprising and I hope Deans doesnt go for an 8/2 forwards/backs bench split. If Genia goes down it brings back World Cup memories of not having a specialist on the bench and we need 2 specialist 7's. Deans has been banging on about us not being effective enough at the breakdown so hoping that means Smith is going to start, whether it be at 6 or 7 I dont know but starting both Hooper and Smith allows a specialist second rower to be on the bench with McCalman, 2 props and a hooker meaning 3 backs Phipps, Mogg and I dare say Horne to cover the centres. Geez what do you do, too many combinations available to put down.
Amateur Hour
Guest
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/veteran-flanker-george-smith-set-to-return-to-wallabies-starting-side-for-decisive-lions-test/story-fni2g0wi-1226673721681 Should be MMM and Kimlin instead of McCalman and Simmonds. Gutted for MMM. Thanks to Foley's bonehead decision, looks like he will never now get to play against the Lions.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Kimlin has had great form for the Brumbies in Super Rugby and against the Lions. If you want a 6/8 player who can also provide some lock cover I can't imagine why you would look to McCalman over Kimlin. I don't even think experience is a valid point as Kimlin only lost his Wallaby jumper due to injury while McCalman has often lost it due to form.