[1] The Wallabies have recalled fullback Kurtley Beale to their team to take on Wales in the World Cup third/fourth playoff match on Friday night. Photo Reuters Fullback Kurtley Beale has been recalled from injury, Berrick Barnes returns at centre and lock Nathan Sharpe has been selected to earn his 100th test cap for Australia in Friday's World Cup third-place playoff against Wales.
Australia coach Robbie Deans has announced eight changes to the starting lineup that went down 20-6 to New Zealand in the semifinals last weekend, including an all-new front row in a reworked forward pack.
Beale missed the semifinal with a recurring hamstring strain, but his selection and Barnes' return in the midfield for the injured Pat McCabe gives Australia its most potent starting backline of the tournament.
Quade Cooper kept his spot at flyhalf despite poor performances in the 11-9 quarterfinal win over South Africa and the semifinal loss to top-ranked New Zealand, while Anthony Fainga'a drops to the bench to make way for Adam Ashley-Cooper's switch back to outside center to accommodate Beale.
In the big change among the forwards, blindside flanker Rocky Elsom - Australia captain until the World Cup squad was announced in August - has been omitted from the match squad.
Deans had a long injury list to consider after the semifinals, with veteran lock Dan Vickerman, hooker Stephen Moore, prop Sekope Kepu and centre McCabe all hurt in the semifinal defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park.
Sharpe, who wasn't included in the match squad for the semifinal, was moved directly into the spot vacated by Vickerman to partner captain James Horwill, with Deans deciding to keep young Reds lock Rob Simmons on the bench.
The 33-year-old Sharpe, who made his test debut against France in 2002, is attending his third World Cup.
He has been out of favour with selectors in recent seasons and, at stages, it was doubtful he would reach three figures in international rugby. However, he is set to becomes the fifth Australian to reach the milestone, behind George Gregan (139), George Smith (110), Stephen Larkham (102) and David Campese (101).
In other changes, Tatafu Polota-Nau replaces Moore as starting hooker, James Slipper comes off the bench to start at loosehead and Salesi Ma'afu joins them at tighthead prop. Ben Alexander, the only fit survivor of last weekend's frontrow, has been rested after playing 10 of the 11 tests for Australia, but has been included on the bench.
In the backrow, Scott Higginbotham will start on the blindside flank, Ben McCalman moves into the starting XV at No. 8, with Radike Samo dropping to the bench, and David Pocock remains at openside.
Wales beat Australia 22-21 with a late converted try in the third-place playoff at the inaugural World Cup in 1987, but didn't return to the semifinals again until this tournament. The Australians won the World Cup in 1991 and '99 and were beaten in the 2003 final by Jonny Wilkinson's extra-time dropped goal for England.
Australia leads the head-to-heads 19-10, with one match drawn. The Wallabies have won their last three World Cup matches against Wales - all in Cardiff - in '91, '99 and 2007.
Australia squad: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill (captain), Salesi Ma'afu, Tatafu Polota Nau, James Slipper. Reserves: Saia Fainga'a, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Luke Burgess, Anthony Fainga'a, Rob Horne.
No comments:
Post a Comment