Richard Brown named to take on Tonga with Australia A

[laura]

WESTERN Force flanker Richard Brown has been selected in the Australia A side for Sunday's Pacific Nations Cup clash against Tonga in Sydney.

Force winger Drew Mitchell returns from injury for a spot on the reserves bench.

Brown is one of seven Wallabies squad members seconded to the Australia A team. Mitchell joined the squad on Monday as a replacement for the injured Mark Gerrard....

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[force addict]

what? why not with Wallabies

[laura]

Not playing this weekend.

[laura]

Australia A has named a 22-man team, including seven of the current Qantas Wallabies squad, to play Tonga at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

In a boost to the squad, which recorded victories in Japan and Samoa in the first two rounds of the iRB Pacific Nations Cup, Wallabies Coach Robbie Deans has released seven players, who were not part of the match day squad against the Irish in Melbourne, for Australia A duties.

Wallabies forwards Mark Chisholm, Ben Alexander, Richard Brown and Stephen Hoiles and backs Digby Ioane, Brett Sheehan and Lachie Turner have all been included in Australia A’s first home match of the campaign.

Joining Alexander in the front row is Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu and Queensland Reds hooker Sean Hardman.

Mark Chisholm and Peter Kimlin will form the second row, while Richard Brown, Stephen Hoiles and Wallabies World Cup lock Hugh McMeniman, enjoying his first hit-out since Round 2 of Super 14, make up and impressive back row.

Australia A coach Phil Mooney has opted for an all-Waratahs halves combination with Brett Sheehan at scrumhalf and Sam Norton-Knight at flyhalf.

Captain Morgan Turinui and Timana Tahu resume their combination in the centres, while Digby Ioane and Matt Carraro will patrol the wings.

Lachie Turner will get his chance to press for a Test spot against the French when he lines up at fullback.

The match against the Tongans will also see the return from injury of Wallabies World Cup winger Drew Mitchell, who will start from the bench.

Australia A coach Phil Mooney said the match will provide the Wallabies squad players with valuable game-time and give them the opportunity to push for selection for the two-Test series against France.

“Robbie Deans wants his players to have regular game-time and has released these squad players so they can maintain their match fitness and press for Test selection against France with a strong performance this weekend,” said Mooney.

“Having these players in the Australia A squad has increased the competition for starting places and I’m looking forward to a professional performance against the Tongans on Sunday.”

Mooney also urged Sydneysiders to come down to North Sydney and enjoy some good quality international rugby.

“With so many Wallabies on show as well as some very promising young prospects, we’re hoping to see a good crowd at North Sydney on Sunday afternoon.”

rugby.com.au | Australia A welcomes Wallabies for Tonga clash

Australia A team to play Tonga

North Sydney Oval

Kick off: 2:00pm

Tickets available through Ticketek on 132 849 or Ticketek Australia




1. Ben Alexander

2. Sean Hardman

3. Sekope Kepu

4. Mark Chisholm

5. Peter Kimlin

6. Hugh McMeniman

7. Richard Brown

8. Stephen Hoiles

9. Brett Sheehan

10. Sam Norton-Knight

11. Digby Ioane

12. Timana Tahu

13. Morgan Turinui

14. Matt Carraro

15. LachlanTurner



Reserves

16. John Ulugia

17. Guy Shepherdson

18. Al Campbell

19. Julian Salvi

20. Patrick Phibbs

21. Daniel Halangahu

22. Drew Mitchell

[lara93]

woohoooo

[force addict]

14. Matt Carraro
who is he and why isn't he on the bench rather than drewby

[BLR]

14. Matt Carraro
who is he and why isn't he on the bench rather than drewby

He's from the Tahs, they don't want to start Mitchell as he has been out with an injury.

[GIGS20]

I'd suggest Drew isn't sure whether he's 100% right now. Carraro played last week, didn't stuff up too badly and will probably do OK this weekend. Drew is probably on the list for 20 minutes at the end of the game, with his immediate future hanging on how he pulls up. If he's proppy at the end of the game, he'll play Oz A again, if he's feeling good he'll hit the bench for the Wallabies....God knows they could use him!

[robyn <3]

I'd suggest Drew isn't sure whether he's 100% right now. Carraro played last week, didn't stuff up too badly and will probably do OK this weekend. Drew is probably on the list for 20 minutes at the end of the game, with his immediate future hanging on how he pulls up. If he's proppy at the end of the game, he'll play Oz A again, if he's feeling good he'll hit the bench for the Wallabies....God knows they could use him!

hell come on as an impact, give them a boost... and he will be FINE! im convinced watch out hynes! drews back in town...

[prop53]

Another step closer for Brown to get in to the Wallabies. But where is Pec this week Injured?

[travelling_gerry]

Pek is at the u/20 World Cup 5-8 play offs


Whoops...no he isnt...sorry

[Burgs]

Not sure he is Gerry, otherwise he wouldn't have played Aus A last week.
He isn't listed to play Samoa U20's anyway.
Looks like a pretty decent team though, would suggest that nearly all of them would have an eye on Wallaby Squad selection and will be playing out of their skins.
Tonga generally have a pretty decent Front Row and imaing they would have saved their best for For Aus A and the Maori's.
Be very timely for Alexander, Kepu, Ulugia and Shepherdson to have the match of their careers.
Be a great match to watch if you have the misfortune to be in Sydney this weekend!

[James]

Another step closer for Brown to get in to the Wallabies.

I thought it was an odd decision playing him at 7 but then again if he plays really well he might push Smith or Waugh off the bench with his ability to play 6/7/8.

[Burgs]

He was mainly playing #7 in '06 as I recall James, alternating with Hodo.
The ability to currently play all three would certainly help his chances as he has the lineout ability too.

[travelling_gerry]

Just thinking on the selection of Bambam at 8 for the under 20's. Imagine bambam at 8 and brownie 6???