Coach Ewen McKenzie believes the experience of tight-five stalwarts Benn Robinson and James Horwill will be invaluable on the underdog Wallabies’ hostile two-match tour of South Africa and Argentina.
Veteran prop Robinson has been recalled to Australia’s 28-man tour squad after being contentiously overlooked for the opening four Tests of the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies scrum has struggled to adapt to the new soft-engagement laws and Brumbies rookie Scott Sio has been dumped for the 59-Test NSW loosehead.
Lock Horwill was also named as captain ahead of Ben Mowen after overcoming the hamstring strain that kept him out of the 38-12 loss to the Springboks and ugly 14-13 win over the Pumas in the past two weeks.
Bulldozing second-rower Sitaleki Timani has been retained despite Horwill’s return and his French contract while ball-scavenging flanker Liam Gill has instead felt the axe as McKenzie looks to beef up his pack.
“South Africa and Argentina are always brutal games, so you need to give an edge to physicality in your selections,” McKenzie said.
“You need to fight fire with fire to some extent and it’s pretty clear that we’ve brought in added size as well as more experience for these next two games.”
McKenzie’s first high-profile omission before the Rugby Championship kick-off, Robinson has been brought back to stabilise the shaky Wallabies scrum which has been overpowered by the All Blacks, Boks and Pumas packs.
“We want to improve this area of our game and when you combine the Tests played between Ben and James we are bringing in another 99 games of experience up front,” the coach said.
“That’s invaluable when you are playing in hostile environments away from home.”
Uncapped Queensland Reds pair Albert Anae, 24, and teenage winger Chris Feuai-Sautia are the new inclusions in a squad which has lost Jesse Mogg (shoulder reconstruction) and Nick Cummins (broken hand) through injury.
Like Robinson, Brumbies winger Joe Tomane is in line to play his first Test since the 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions with Cummins and Mogg ruled out.
Anae, who has been impressing for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s ITM Cup, gives the Wallabies front-row flexibility as he plays both loosehead prop and hooker.
Australia, currently third on the table with a 1-3 record, travel to South Africa on Monday and play the Springboks in Cape Town on September 28 before meeting Argentina in Rosario on October 5.
bennalong
Guest
Robbo was anther example of Ewen McKenzie's poorly thought out entry into international rugby Breaking up the front row was daft in itself for the Rugby Championship, but to pick on Robbo was especially weird. The Tahs scrum performed well last season and Robbo himself performed well after improving his fitness His performances around the paddock in the Shute Sheild demonstrated this. Link has appeared amateurish and seems to have been trying to outpoint Deans by his changes, most of which have been fruitless and could well be responsible for our current unsatisfactory position in the comp
bennalong
Guest
Amazing how he keeps out performing the rest of the team when he's out of position Just what should we do with him? Bench him? If you blokes haven't noticed, the breakdown isn't the sole province of the seven and Hooper's role has been modified by his coaches
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Apart from a brief period Robinson has never been that good a scrummager that he demands inclusion solely on the basis of his tight work. He has had occasional moments around the pitch in recent seasons, but the work rate and attitude of Slipper in recent games has been exemplary, and the problems are on the tight side, so what of Robinson? He could be useful against Figallo who has quite a long back, but he's unlikely to automatically resurrect recent poor showings.
Magic sponge
Guest
I hear ya Mr far side . You would know as I have moved from Syd but I watched the Easts(former club) smash Robbo as well. There must be good inspiring props out there that aren't getting a look in.
Far Side
Guest
Well spotted, totally agree Mr Sponge, I was there and Robinson was unimpressive and given the once over, The Bok props will be looking forward to dishing out the same.
RugbyRene
Roar Rookie
While the return of Robinson rights a horrific wrong, it is silly to think he will single handedly be able fix our scrum.
Mike
Guest
Robinson should be there for his experience as a prop. But he won't make much difference (nor will anyone) unless coaching issues are sorted out with the forwards, particularly in the scrum.
Red Kev
Guest
I've always said Hooper was a no.8 without the body for the position.
Shungmao
Guest
+1
formeropenside
Guest
LHP was not the problem. Benn only makes sense as a starter if the plan is to move Slipper to THP (which is what I would have done some time back). Also, a touring squad without a specialist 7 is silly. Hooper is not a 7, he is an undersized 6. Flashy, yes, but ineffective.
fernando marzano
Roar Rookie
Good for Ewan, Ben always should be on the team. Goos luck
Magic sponge
Guest
Watch the Uni gf. It is not inspiring. Chuck the Uni props on I say. Hopefully Horwill is refreshed and roaring to go.