Ten Wallabies for 'A-Team'
Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:10
Australia A coach Phil Mooney has a raft of Wallabies at his disposal for the International Rugby Board (IRB) Pacific Nations Cup decider against New Zealand's Maori team at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
Mooney has 10 players with Wallaby experience within the squad for a game in which victory will see Australia claim the PNC for the first time since its inception in 2006.
Australia A will deploy a back three of Mark Gerrard, who returns to the starting line up after a shoulder injury, and speedsters Digby Ioane and Drew Mitchell will patrol the wings
Australia A has retained the centre combination of captain Morgan Turinui and Timana Tahu, with both men looking to make a late dash into the Wallabies Tri-Nations squad due to be announced on Monday.
Brett Sheehan returns at scrumhalf for Ben Lucas, who reverts to the bench, while Daniel Halangahu will again start at flyhalf.
In the forwards, Richard Brown moves to No.8, after Stephen Hoiles was called up to the Wallabies squad, with Hugh McMeniman and Julian Salvi the flanks.
Al Campbell has been brought back into the squad and joins the ever-present Peter Kimlin at lock, while Sekope Kepu and Guy Shepherdson will join Sean Hardman in the front row.
Mooney said that the match against the Maori had become a "winner takes all" scenario.
"Everything is on the line this weekend and we have to go out there and finish the job," said Mooney.
"We've played well to this point, but that won't mean much if we can't rise to the occasion on Sunday.
"The Maori are a very good team but we're confident in our own abilities and strengths and we're hoping Sydney fans will come out and give us a true home ground advantage on Sunday."
Australia A: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 Julian
Salvi, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Van Humphries, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Matt Carraro.
Date: Sunday, July 6
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 14.05 (04.05 GMT)
Referee: James Bolabiu (Fiji)
