any bets?
Wallabies shake-up for Tri-Nations
Article from: AAP
AAP
- Font size: Decrease Increase
- Email article: Email
- Print article: Print
- Submit comment: Submit comment
September 09, 2008 11:39am
WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans has dumped Timana Tahu and Tatafu Polota-Nau for Saturday night's Tri-Nations rugby decider against the All Blacks in Brisbane.
Deans today made five changes in the wake of Australia's record 53-8 loss to South Africa in Johannesburg 10 days ago, with Tahu and Polota-Nau dropped altogether from the 22-man squad.
Skipper Stirling Mortlock moves to inside centre in place of Tahu, with Ryan Cross to start outside him, while Stephen Moore is the new hooker at the expense of Polota-Nau.
Adam Freier is the replacement hooker.
In other changes, George Smith replaces Phil Waugh as openside flanker, Nathan Sharpe will start in the second row instead of Hugh McMeniman and Al Baxter at tighthead prop instead of Matt Dunning.
Western Force forward Richard Brown has won a place on the bench in place of Dean Mumm.
In addition to Tri-Nations honours, the Wallabies also need to win to keep alive their hopes of regaining the Bledisloe Cup from New Zealand.
Australia and New Zealand have split the first two trans-Tasman Tests this season, with the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup encounter to be held in Hong Kong on November 1.
Saturday night's Test was today officially declared a sellout, with a crowd of 52,000 to be on hand at Suncorp Stadium.
Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Matt Dunning, Hugh McMeniman, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown, Brett Sheehan, Drew Mitchell.