Turner gets nod for Sydney showdown
Thu, 09 Sep 2010 07:25
Winging it for the Wallabies: Lachie Turner. (c) Gallo
Lachie Turner replaced injured wing Drew Mitchell in the only change to Australia's starting XV for Saturday's final Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Sydney.
Turner, in line for his 12th Test but first of the season, replaces Mitchell, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered in last weekend's thrilling 41-39 win over South Africa in Bloemfontein.
Brumbies hooker Huia Edmonds was also named on the replacements' bench for the suspended Saia Fainga'a.
New Zealand-born Edmonds is one of three Wallabies who will be appearing against the All Blacks for the first time along with flyhalf Quade Cooper and No.8 Ben McCalman.
While New Zealand have already clinched the Tri-Nations series and the Bledisloe Cup, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said Saturday's match offered his side the opportunity to push on from last weekend's historic success in South Africa.
"We can't afford to continue to live in that moment," Deans said.
"While the players are aware of the history that was associated with that performance, they are also aware of the significance of playing the All Blacks and the opportunity that they have in front of them this weekend."
The Wallabies' stirring last-gasp victory over the world champion Springboks was the first by an Australian team on the South African Highveld in 47 years, and their first win in Bloemfontein for 77 years.
Turner played the most recent of his 11 Tests against New Zealand in Wellington last year, but was added to Australia's touring party for the just completed two-Test trip to South Africa.
The Waratahs wing, who played three Tests against the All Blacks in 2009, was recently named in the Australian Sevens squad to attend next month's Commonwealth Games Sevens tournament in New Delhi, India.
The New Zealand-born Edmonds made his Test debut earlier in the year against Fiji, and then appeared from the bench during the two Tests against England in June.
Australia's class of 2010 is chasing their third win of this year's Tri-Nations Series.
Should they succeed, the current team would sit alongside its predecessors of 2000 and 2008 which are so far the only two Australian outfits to have won three times during a single Tri-Nations championship.
Australia's most recent success against New Zealand was achieved in Sydney two years ago, when the Wallabies prevailed 34-19.
Last year, a late penalty goal enabled New Zealand to win the corresponding match 19-18.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 James Slipper, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Luke Burgess, 21
Berrick Barnes, 21 Anthony Fainga'a.
Date: Saturday, September 11
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20.00 (10.00 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)