Wallabies v Italy Take 2 - changes a bloody plenty

[RugbyReg]

Smith to captain Australia
June 16, 2009 - 12:45pm
Story by: ARU
George Smith takes on the Italy defense

George will captain Australia against Italy

George Smith will lead Australia for just the third time in Test matches after today being named as skipper of the Qantas Wallabies for Saturday night's second Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series match against Italy in Melbourne.

The game's most capped loose forward, who became Australia's 75th Test captain when he led the side against Canada at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, takes over from regular leader Stirling Mortlock, who is being rested this week.

Smith led Australia for the second time in Tests last year, when the Wallabies beat the All Blacks 34-19 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. He was also in charge when Australia beat a star-studded Barbarians side 18-11 to round out last year's Spring Tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

The absence of Mortlock is one of four personnel changes to the Wallabies line-up from last week's match-night squad of 22 players.

Ryan Cross replaces Mortlock at outside centre while Peter Hynes completes his return from a knee injury he sustained during the Investec Super 14, stepping in for Drew Mitchell on the wing. Both players tuned up for this weekend's re-entry to the international arena by appearing for their clubs last Saturday in Sydney and Brisbane respectively.

The third change promises a big night in the Cowan household, with the Western Force prop Pekahou Cowan being handed the opportunity to make his Test debut.

The 23-year-old, who has turned out for his Warringah club in each of the last two weeks, will become the 834th player to have appeared for Australia in Test matches. Cowan's selection also makes him the 15th new player to have been introduced to the Wallabies since Robbie Deans took over as national coach last year.

Cowan will be joined in the starting front row by NSW Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and Brumbies prop Ben Alexander, who gains his first Test start at tighthead.

Both Polota-Nau and Alexander appeared off the bench last weekend but have come in for Stephen Moore and Benn Robinson, who are this week listed on the bench.

Last week's tighthead prop Al Baxter is being rested as is No 8 Richard Brown, with the latter's place in the match night squad being taken by NSW Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh, who is the fourth personnel change as he joins the run on substitutes.

Saturday night's combination additionally features three positional alterations from the line-up which over-powered Italy 31-8 at Canberra Stadium last weekend.

One of those involves the skipper, with Smith moving from the openside flank to the back of the scrum, in order to accommodate the inclusion of the Western Force 21-year-old David Pocock.

Pocock will make his maiden Test start after three previous appearances off the run on reserves bench.

Quade Cooper, who has only previously appeared from the bench at Test level, also takes his first run on bow, in what will be his fifth international, but will play from inside centre.

He has been positioned outside of his regular team-mate at the Queensland Reds, Berrick Barnes, who switches from inside centre to flyhalf. Barnes last appeared in the number 10 jersey for the Wallabies against Italy at Padova last year.

Regular flyhalf Matt Giteau this week starts from the bench.

The third positional switch sees the NSW Waratahs utility forward Dean Mumm revert to the second row in the place of Nathan Sharpe, which allows Peter Kimlin to run out on the blindside flank. Kimlin became Wallaby number 833 when he appeared off the bench last weekend in Canberra.

Deans says the changes to his line-up reflect a desire to spread the work load while giving more players an opportunity.

"We believe in the whole group. That is why we selected them," Deans says.

"The guys who are coming in this week are good to go. Most of them showed what they could do last weekend in Canberra when they added to our performance after coming on from the bench."

He said the changes did not reflect any dis-satisfaction with last week's performance. Nor were the Wallabies under-estimating the Italians at all.

"The changes should not be seen as a slight on the blokes who have missed out after last weekend. It's quite the opposite. We were happy with the way the guys played," Deans says.

"This week is about our growth as a group. We've got potentially 14 Test matches to play this year, as well as the Barbarians game we've already had. Not only would it be unrealistic to focus that entire work load on the same players, a policy like that would also deny us the opportunity to develop others."

Italy provided fierce competition last weekend in Canberra and Deans is expecting further strong resistance in the rematch.

"They will have got a lot out of that performance," he says.

"They have shown in their last two Test matches against us that they are not too far off taking out a major nation. Nick [Italy coach, Nick Mallett] is quite clearly adding to their game all of the time. I've no doubt that Italy will be a major challenge again."


The Qantas Wallabies team to play Italy in the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday 20 June (8.05pm kick off), is:

15. James O'Connor (Western Force)
14. Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)
13. Ryan Cross (Western Force)
12. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
11. Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds)
10. Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
8. George Smith (Brumbies)
7. David Pocock (Western Force)
6. Peter Kimlin (Brumbies)
5. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
1. Pekahou Cowan (Western Force)

Run on reserves:
16. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
17. Benn Robinson
(NSW Waratahs)
18. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
19. Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs)
20. Josh Valentine (Western Force)
21. Matt Giteau (Western Force)
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)



hmmm, I'm a little scared.

 

[RugbyReg]

wow wow wow.

I like it, but it scares me.

Cooper @ 12
Kimlin @ 6
the front row, Alexander at 3.
Smith @ 8 (to a minor extent).
No THP reserve.

 

[Biffo]

Interesting, very interesting.

Bye bye to Tuqiri and Tahu?

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

wow wow wow.

I like it, but it scares me.

Sames. But would this team lose to Italy? Providing the forwards muscle up the backline could rip it up under the roof of Etihad (is that what it's called now?).

 

[formeropenside]

Its great to see Hynes get a run, but I am worried about scrumtime. Lineouts could be a problem if TPN's radar gets glitchy.

 

[Lee Grant]

Wow as I wrote elsewhere anybody who didn't make the 3 x 22s to date is history.

At least Waugh made the 22 but the fat lady is singing for Tahu and Tuqiri - though Tahu had to pull out of club rugby last Saturday.

Alexander is either going to get his head shoved up his arse or come through it a better THP. The scrums when he came on in Canberra were not great.

As expected Horwill keeps playing to catch up with match fitness - not that you would have noticed he needed it in the last two games.

Great to see Hynes back. Cross and Cooper will have to shine to be in subsequent 22s this winer metinks.

 

[Pfitzy]

I don't think Alexander's head will get shoved up his arse - more like sucked down his throat by the vortex of Pek Cowan getting smashed into component atoms just across the scrum from him.

 

[fatprop]

We are screwed, it appears Cowan is covering for Alexander at THP .......................... wtf?

 

[Lee Grant]

Yeah - I never expected Cowan to get a start without Baxter as the THP. He played OK there against both Guy Shepherdson and Daniel Palmer on the weekend, but that was in a club game.

He may do OK, but having to play THP if Alexander is hooked or injured is another matter. Does anybody remember his playing THP for the Force, even from the bench?

He played half a game there against the Beasts the weekend before last but again, it was a club game.

 

[Biffo]

as I wrote elsewhere anybody who didn't make the 3 x 22s to date is history.

I had a rethink about your (and my) view on this. It must be generally true, but there will be a 35 (?) man squad going to Japan and Yurope in the spring. If we add up the numbers who have made the 3 x 22s, there will be a gap between that number and the personnel needed for the trip. Who might be the contenders?

 

[formeropenside]

Lt to captain the dirty-dirties?

 

[cyclopath]

I don't think Alexander's head will get shoved up his arse - more like sucked down his throat by the vortex of Pek Cowan getting smashed into component atoms just across the scrum from him.

While I would love to have faith that Robbie and Pato know what they're on about, I think there is every chance Nick is right, and our scrum might get completely mullered come Saturday.
Personally there are too many changes at once for me. I don't like the Smith - Pocock axis, play them as 7s. Smith has been ordinary at 8 before, and I shudder to think how it will go with him and Pocock half-detached, Smith trying to pick up backwards - going ball while Cowan and Alexander potentially get inverted. Given the Italian presence at the breakdown last weekend, I think we may be in for a rude awakening.
The backline changes are irrelevant, as they might not get enough pill to do any fancy-pantsy with (I am looking at you Q Cooper). Happy to see Hynes get a run though, given his good play last year. Hope he reaches those heights again.

 

[Newb]

While I would love to have faith that Robbie and Pato know what they're on about, I think there is every chance Nick is right, and our scrum might get completely mullered come Saturday.
Personally there are too many changes at once for me. I don't like the Smith - Pocock axis, play them as 7s. Smith has been ordinary at 8 before, and I shudder to think how it will go with him and Pocock half-detached, Smith trying to pick up backwards - going ball while Cowan and Alexander potentially get inverted. Given the Italian presence at the breakdown last weekend, I think we may be in for a rude awakening.
The backline changes are irrelevant, as they might not get enough pill to do any fancy-pantsy with (I am looking at you Q Cooper). Happy to see Hynes get a run though, given his good play last year. Hope he reaches those heights again.

i like the changes to the backs. pretty drastic reshuffle, but i want to get a look at barnes in the 10 - less flash but still very effective IMO. and even though hynes and cross have been out, both have wallaby experience so it's not like throwing a debutant in there. i see this being a big test for 'the entertainer' but i can see him staying within himself at robbie's asking. if he doesn't come good though robbie can bring on super gits, shift barnes to 12 and save the day.

the pack has infinitely more questions though. mumm should be at lock so happy with that. we'll see how kimlin performs - i'm not expecting too much honestly but someone has to play the flank. i'm glad pocock is getting more game time - he deserves a good chunk. but smith at 8? i could be wrong but i see him taking that as even more license to grubber, weave, and pirouette offload. and i totally agree on the front row come scrum time. i'm mostly hoping that none of the piggies get hurt more than anything. good learning experience and all, but jeez that's a big ask of pek and alexander.

 

[Newb]

Interesting, very interesting.

Bye bye to Tuqiri and Tahu?

i read over at TSF that LT has been getting schooled in club play. maybe he's still not/won't ever be in the required form?

 

[Biffo]

i read over at TSF that .....

A word from the wise, if I may. If you must go to TSF again, be sure you are well decontaminated before you come back here.

 

[Newb]

by the way, here's the story:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25633050-23217,00.html

Lote Tuqiri fails to shine playing for West Harbour in club rugby


June 14, 2009

Towards the end of his club rugby game at Concord Oval, some vocal West Harbour lower-graders were drinking in the grandstand and calling for Lote Tuqiri to be benched.

"Put Tito on," they shouted after Tuqiri failed with a chip-and-chase.

Tito Mua was the man Tuqiri replaced in the West Harbour starting team.

Even for a $600,000-a-year Wallaby, park rugby doesn't come with instant respect.

This wasn't the best day of Tuqiri's rugby career.

West Harbour, who had been on a six-game winning streak, lost to struggling Northern Suburbs 25-21.

Tuqiri had been out-paced to the corner for the first try of the match and torpedoed one pass over the sideline to botch an attacking raid.

He touched the ball just five times in the second half.

But Tuqiri was upbeat at the end of the game, heeding the words of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

"He just said keep being positive," Tuqiri said.

"I think I've been doing that at training and coming out here playing club rugby. It's been all right. He said there'll be a time I get a run, I've just got to bide my time."

Deans believes Tuqiri needs to play more like a rugby winger. To stick more to the sideline, stay out of the the rucks and mauls.

Basically to go against the instincts that made him the best rugby league winger in the world, when involvement was the key.

In an alternate universe, Tuqiri would have been selected in the Queensland State of Origin team this week to play in Sydney next Wednesday week.

Instead, he was at Sydney's Concord Oval playing in front of maybe 500 people.

Another former NRL star, Timana Tahu, was supposed to play in the same West Harbour backline, but he was a late withdrawal because of a hamstring twinge.

Nothing serious, only a week on the sidelines.

Both will be back training with the Wallabies this week, not knowing if they will be playing against Italy in Melbourne next weekend, or returning to Sydney to play for West Harbour.

Tuqiri says he won't get negative, either way.

He's got to look on the bright side.

Missing Wallabies selection meant he was at home for his son Samson's fourth birthday last Thursday.

See, there is always a bright side.

 

[Newb]

i read over at TSF that .....

A word from the wise, if I may. If you must go to TSF again, be sure you are well decontaminated before you come back here.

;D only go to see what the kiwis are wanging on about, but well aware. always sure to have a good rinse and scrub afterwards.

 

[cyclopath]

I agree that the backline changes are less of an "issue", newb as the new starters are experienced enough, and the Italian backs don't cause so much concern. Happy to see Cross in too as you say.
I personally find there are many proprietary disinfectants you can use after a visit to the Dark Place, as Biffo says. He is a stickler for forum hygiene. As I tell my son, a few germs are good for your immunity anyway, and they aint too bad...mostly...

 

[Cutter]

Front row is a worry but both Mumm and Horwill are strong scrummaging locks. Smith will handle no. 8 ok. He is the only non specialist 8 who can handle it.

Apart from Cooper, the backline is fairly stable for mine. Last season we were quite happy for Cross and Hynes to be in our 1st XV and this season we have been happy for JOC (James O'Connor) and Turner to be there.

Pocock will be ok. Kimlin will need to perform.

 

[Gagger]

Smith will handle no. 8 ok. He is the only non specialist 8 who can handle it.

So Smith can but Rocky can't, even though Rocky was doing it for Leinster? (cue same old argument)

I'm starting to get shitted off with the backrow mixes :angryfire:

All our impact ball running hopes are pinned on Palu (injured half the time) and Rocky (when in the country).

You need to be more than tall to fill this role - Mumm, Chisholm and I suspect Kimlin, are too big and lanky to generate the pace required to create the power. They do however make decent dynamic locks.

If Robbie is cycling through them for elimination purposes (like Mumm last week) then it's painfull.

The only guys I saw do it for us in the S14 were Mowen (also superb in the lineout) and Higginbatty. At least one of these guys should be in the squad instead of one of the other 5 opensides

One of our two biggest problems last week was generating go forward. Having 3 opensides in the 22 isn't going to help with that - surely we've learned this lesson? :nta:

I see a static mess occurring this sat. I hope I'm wrong.