Elsom gets the green to play gold
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:08
Up for the challenge: Rocky Elsom ready to face the Boks
Wallabies flank Rocky Elsom had his one-week suspension upheld on Thursday, seeing him rejoin the Australian starting line-up for their return Tri-Nations Test against the Boks on Saturday.
Elsom had been suspended for one match by a South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby Unions (SANZAR) Judicial Committee after being cited for pulling down Springbok lock Victor Matfield at a line-out during last Saturday's Tri-Nations Test in Durban.
However, a three-man Appeals Committee (completed by Jannie Lubbe SC of South Africa and Dennis Wheelahan QC of Australia) on Thursday decided to set aside the suspension. Chairman Bruce Squire QC of New Zealand said he would give the reasons for the decision at a later date.
Elsom will subsequently make a welcomed return to the Wallaby side for the Johannesburg Test, which has revealed five alterations to the starting XV responsible for Australia's emphatic victory in Durban
last weekend.
The Melbourne-born 27-year-old Timana Tahu - who won a national rugby league premiership and was capped at both state of origin and international levels in the 13-man code - has been included in place of the injured Berrick Barnes at inside centre, marking his first start in a rugby union international.
The other changes see fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper regain his position from Drew Mitchell after missing the tour opener due to strain from a hand fracture, while Hugh McMeniman returns in the second row for the injured Daniel Vickerman.
Phil Waugh and Tatafu Polota-Nau come off last weekend's replacement bench in place of George Smith and Stephen Moore respectively.
Mitchell, Smith and Moore have all been included among the replacements, as the Australian coaches have looked to spread the workload amongst the playing staff.
Although acknowledging that the changes could be perceived as showing a lack of respect towards the Springboks, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans insisted that this is not the case.
"If anything, it's in fact the opposite," said Deans on Thursday.
"It's because of the respect we have for them, and the enormity of the challenge we have in front of us trying to win back-to-back South African Test matches, and in Johannesburg for the first time in so long, that we feel we need to bring in some fresh legs.
"Last weekend [in Durban] took a lot out of our guys as it did some of theirs. We will need the impetus that the fresh legs we've included today will bring," he added.
Australia has only won consecutive Tests in the Republic on one previous occasion. That was 45 years ago, when the Wallabies sounded a 11-9 second victory at the formerly-known Ellis Park. The 1963 success remains Australia's only win (from nine attempts) in Johannesburg.
Deans acknowledges the Wallabies' poor history at Ellis Park, and the likely South African response due to the current circumstances the world champions are experiencing.
"They [South Africa] have got one more shot at it in this year's Tri-Nations," Deans said.
"If they can take it, they can park the rest of the tournament and move forward a lot more positively towards their end of season tour preparations. Ask yourself how you'd feel in their position? There's no doubt they'll be up for it."
Nor is Deans prepared to dismiss Saturday's relevance in the overall context of the Tri-Nations competition, even though the title will not be determined until after Australia meet New Zealand in Brisbane on September 13.
Australia has already secured the Mandela Trophy, having won their Springbok encounters in Perth and Durban.
"Saturday still has huge significance - both in terms of momentum in the Tri-Nations; but also as far as the development of our group as a whole is concerned," said Deans.
"By winning in Durban last weekend, we have presented ourselves with an opportunity - to win back-to-back Test matches in South Africa - which is not only rare in an Australian context; but is also historically significant across the game in general.
"We owe it to ourselves, and to everyone who is associated with Australian rugby, to make the most of that opportunity," Deans added.
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Sam Cordingley, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 James Horwill, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 George Smith, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Drew Mitchell.
Date: Saturday, August 30
Venue: Coca-Cola Park,
Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand), Rob Debney (England)
TMO: Romain Poite (France)
