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Wallabies name unchanged line-up
Australia has named an unchanged team for this weekend's second test against Wales in Melbourne on Saturday, despite concerns over the fitness of tighthead prop Sekope Kepu.
Kepu strained a tendon in his forearm during the 27-19 victory over the Six Nations champions in the opening match of the three-match series in Brisbane last weekend but has been named in the starting line-up, subject to a fitness test.
"We are hopeful that 'Keps' will be good to go, but we do have a contingency plan in place if we need it," Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.
"There are five props in the group we have with us in Melbourne so we saw no need in bringing anyone extra in."
Ben Alexander, who can play on both sides of the front row and is named as a replacement, is most likely to step into the breach should Kepu prove unable to play at Docklands on Saturday night.
Berrick Barnes retains the number 10 shirt after a much-improved performance against the Welsh than he showed in last Tuesday's shock 9-6 defeat to Scotland in Newcastle.
Kurtley Beale, who along with fellow fly half options Quade Cooper and James O'Connor missed last week's matches through injury, has not sufficently recovered from his shoulder problem to be considered for selection for Saturday's second test.
Wallabies squad:
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Cooper Vuna, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Will Genia,Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polata Nau, Benn Robinson
Reserves:
Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-1...site=melbourne
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Originally Posted by Happy
