Elsom back to face beefy Boks
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:48
Up for the challenge: Rocky Elsom ready to face the Boks
The return from injury of flank Rocky Elsom has come as a major boost for Australia ahead of their Tri-Nations crunch match against South Africa in Durban on Saturday.
The inclusion of Elsom, the selection of Drew Mitchell at fullback and Sam Cordingley at scrumhalf, are the highlights of the Wallabies side named on Thursday.
The trio represent three of the five personnel changes that have been made to the Australian combination from that which lost 10-39 to New Zealand in Auckland.
Elsom is back after a strained foot ligament prevented his participation in that loss three weeks ago.
His return comes a week earlier than was originally anticipated, but having satisfied the medical and coaching staff as to the level of his preparedness for the task ahead.
Lock James Horwill has also been cleared to play, after being dogged by a foot injury following the Auckland match.
Mitchell and Cordingley take the places of the injured Adam Ashley-Cooper and Luke Burgess respectively.
The other changes to the Australian starting XV from that which appeared most recently in the series; see Daniel Vickerman resume his starting position in the second row, having come from the bench in his two Test outings of the season to date.
Tighthead prop Matt Dunning is also restored to the run on side for the first time since the opening international of the year, against Ireland. He swaps places with Al Baxter, who drops to a place among the replacements.
The starting side features four changes from the combination which eclipsed South Africa 16-9 in the Wallabies' opening match of the Tri-Nations series.
Brett Sheehan is promoted to the matchday squad for the first time this year, following Cordingley's elevation into the starting line-up, being joined by Timana Tahu and Ryan Cross among the back replacements.
Wallaby coach Robbie Deans is happy with his team's preparation through the week as it heads towards the Durban match.
"Training has gone well, and we're looking forward to the opportunity we have in front of us," Deans said.
While the Wallabies' recent run of outs in South Africa has been repeatedly highlighted in the lead-up to the current team's visit, Deans is only interested in looking forward.
"It [the record] highlights the extent of the opportunity that we, as a team, have in front of us to achieve something significant, and that's exciting," Deans says.
"But as far as its relevance is concerned in the preparations for Saturday's game, it doesn't really have any. We're focusing totally on what is in front of us. The history – be it good or bad – isn't a factor once the game kicks off!"
The Wallabies have been based in Cape Town all week after arriving in South Africa last Friday.
Preparations for the Test match will be wrapped up in Cape Town, where the captain's run will be held Friday, prior to transferring to Durban.
The Wallabies will wear black arm-bands during the match as a mark of respect for the former Australian representatives Roy Prosser and Malcolm van Gelder who both passed away just prior to the team's departure for South Africa.
Australia: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Sam Cordingley, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Daniel Vickerman, 4 James Horwill, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Hugh McMeniman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Timana Tahu, 22 Ryan Cross.
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Bryce Lawrence (New
Zealand) , Rob Debney (England)
TMO: Romain Poite (France
