Wallabies lose their Sharpe edge
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:08
No Guarantee: Nathan Sharpe puts his eager hand up for selection
Veteran lock Nathan Sharpe has been ruled out of Australia's second Test against France in Brisbane on Saturday, after injuring his groin at training on Thursday.
The 66-Test veteran suffered a groin strain when he stumbled during training at Ballymore. He was examined by the Wallaby medical team in Brisbane, where the decision was made to withdraw him from the match.
"It's unfortunate but the injury is restricting Nathan, so the choice was made for us," Wallaby coach Robbie Deans said.
"We gave it as much time as we could, to allow it to settle but, with the game just two days away, we had to make the call and move on."
The Wallabies summoned Reds flank Hugh McMeniman as cover from the Australia A squad in Sydney on Thursday.
He will now replace Sharpe in the matchday squad of 22 for the weekend, with Waratahs utility forward Dean Mumm promoted from the bench into the second row.
The 24-year-old Mumm, who can operate in either the second row or on the blindside flank, made his Test debut last month against Ireland.
His combination with Queenslander James Horwill means the Wallabies will boast a combined total of five Test caps in their second row for the second Test.
"The loss of Nathan obviously tests our depth, in terms of the Test experience our two locks have, but we've got total confidence in the guys who are there," Deans said.
"They've done the work on the training paddock and competed well in their Test careers so far. There's a great opportunity ahead for both of them."
Twenty-four-year-old McMeniman joins the Wallabies after returning from injury during the Australia A program in the recent wins over Tonga and Fiji.
While not a member of the 30-man squad that was named for the first stage of the mid-year Tests, McMeniman has appeared in 12 Tests for Australia since debuting against Samoa in 2005.
His most recent cap was earned against England at last year's World Cup.
Australia - revised: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lachlan Turner, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Hugh McMeniman, 19 George Smith, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Cameron Shepherd.
Date: Saturday, July 5
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 20.00 (10.00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
TMO: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
