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Raft of changes ahead for Wallabies
From Bret Harris in Johnannesburg, South Africa
September 01, 2008
AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans is expected to make a raft of changes to the team to play New Zealand in the Tri-Nations decider in Brisbane on Saturday week.
Deans took several selection gambles which backfired in Australia's record 53-8 loss to South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg last Saturday.
It is almost certain that hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, openside flanker Phil Waugh, inside centre Timana Tahu and second-rower Hugh McMeniman will not hold their starting spots against New Zealand.
Deans started Polota-Nau and Waugh ahead of regular starters Stephen Moore and George Smith in an attempt to provide the Wallabies with enthusiasm and fresh legs, but it did not work out as planned.
Polota-Nau struggled with his lineout throwing and his scrummaging, while Waugh was largely ineffective playing in a badly beaten forward pack.
There is no doubt Moore and Smith will regain their places in the first XV in Brisbane, which was always on the cards irrespective of the result in Johannesburg.
Deans opted for Tahu to make his run-on debut at Ellis Park to replace injured inside centre Berrick Barnes, but it became apparent he was not yet ready to start.
Tahu did not receive many opportunities to display his attacking skills and he got completely lost in defence with his opposing No12 Jean de Villiers cleverly exploiting his lack of experience and game sense.
With Barnes unlikely to recover from his shoulder injury for the All Blacks Test, Deans will probably go for the safer centre pairing of Stirling Mortlock and Ryan Cross.
Second-rower Dan Vickerman, who may have played his last Test for the Wallabies, has been ruled out of the Brisbane game.
McMeniman was one of the few Australian forwards who took the fight to the Springboks, but Deans may well decide the team will need the experience of Nathan Sharpe in such a big Test.
Sharpe fell out of favour after the Wallabies' 30-10 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland a month ago and he was originally excluded from the 28-man squad to tour South Africa.
After being recalled as a contingency for the injured Vickerman, Sharpe would have started in Johannesburg if blindside flanker Rocky Elsom's appeal against a one-week suspension had been dismissed.
The changes may not end there. Tighthead prop Matt Dunning's grip on the No.3 jersey appears tenuous after he was hooked early last Saturday and replaced by Al Baxter.
Deans may also consider starting Drew Mitchell on the wing or full-back in place of Peter Hynes or Adam Ashley-Cooper to improve the Wallabies' kicking game in the back three.
From: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
"Remember lads, rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to Giteau." 
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