SCENES as Toulouse overcome Wallaby's red card in extra time to clinch Champions Cup
Richie Arnold cut a dejected figure on the bench after being sent off for a high clean out against Leinster. However, Toulouse still prevailed…
Goalkicking ace Mike Harris held out a fit Berrick Barnes to keep his place at fullback for the Wallabies’ European tour opener against France in Paris on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Barnes, who hasn’t played since puncturing his lung in the September 30 loss to South Africa in Pretoria, has been included on the bench as coach Robbie Deans named the same backline that ran out against New Zealand in Brisbane last month.
Harris kicked six penalty goals that night in Australia’s 18-18 draw with the All Blacks.
Deans made three changes to his forward pack with tighthead prop Sekope Kepu, blindside flanker Dave Dennis and second-rower Kane Douglas all getting starts in the Nathan Sharpe-led side.
Kepu comes in for James Slipper while Dennis replaces the suspended Scott Higginbotham at No.6 and Douglas in for the injured Sitaleki Timani (hamstring).
Veteran Stephen Moore returns to action off the bench after overcoming a hamstring injury while rookie prop Paddy Ryan is also on the pine.
As expected, champion flanker David Pocock wasn’t selected but has trained strongly and is on track to face England at Twickenham on Saturday week.
Flying winger Digby Ioane was given every chance to prove his fitness this week as he continues his comeback from a knee injury but he hasn’t quite measured up.
Drew Mitchell is another Wallaby on the comeback trail who has trained well in France this week and he’s expected to feature in the tour soon.
Wallabies team: Mike Harris, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Pat McCabe, Nick Cummins, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Paddy Ryan, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Brett Sheehan, Berrick Barnes.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Richie Arnold cut a dejected figure on the bench after being sent off for a high clean out against Leinster. However, Toulouse still prevailed…
Wallabies lock Richie Arnold was sent off but still has cause to celebrate after his Toulouse team won a record-extending sixth European Champions Cup,…
The time is fast approaching when we can all stop wondering how Joe Schmidt will approach the first Wallabies selection of his tenure and…
As Rugby Australia crawls towards deciding on whether to hand back the Super Rugby license to the Melbourne Rebels, the governing body has begun…
Reds fans have favoured new winger Tim Ryan over the former NRL star - and only seem to remember how poor he has been this season.
Administrators are trying to rejuvenate rugby union in Australia but will Schmidt's appointment be a case of ‘same, same but different’?