Eyes on two prizes for fringe Wallabies

Eyes on two prizes for fringe Wallabies

July 5, 2008 - 4:48PM

Fringe Wallabies will have the dual motivations of winning Australia's first Pacific Nations Cup and earning a spot in the Tri-Nations squad when they take on the New Zealand Maori at the Sydney Football stadium on Sunday.
An Australia A combination liberally studded with recent Wallabies enter their final round game against the Maori knowing a win will secure their team the PNC title.
While both teams are unbeaten, Australia A have logged a couple of additional bonus points and can only be overtaken by the Maori if they lose on Sunday.
While the PNC is seen by many as a device to keep potential Wallabies match-fit for Test duty, the players also see it as an end in itself.
"A bit of silverware can't hurt," Australia A captain and centre Morgan Turinui said.
Australia A coach Phil Mooney said the promotion to the Test team of Stephen Hoiles, Lachie Turner and Hugh McMeniman had shown players in his squad they would be rewarded for good performances.
Mooney recognises Sunday's decider will represent a step up for his team following blowout wins over Tonga and Fiji in their last two fixtures.
"We have a great deal of respect for the Maori," Mooney said.
"We feel that we are entering the game in good condition and it will be really interesting to see how the guys react under pressure."
Both teams have been keen to run the ball and boast plenty of backline firepower, but Mooney suggested Australia A would pick their moments to attack.
"I think they thrive on that unstructured play and we have to exhibit good decision making," Mooney said.
"When it's on, have a crack and when it's not control the tempo of the match."
Mooney, who is also coach of the Queensland Reds, expects his side to be challenged in the forwards, particularly in the lineouts.
"I think their lineout is very good, with Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo and their play is a big challenge," Mooney said.
"At the breakdown, it will be a really telling contest, we know we have to aim up."
Mooney has confidence in his revamped back row after Hoiles and McMeniman were drafted by the Wallabies, though the Reds back-rower could still come off the bench on Sunday, depending on how much game time he gets for the Wallabies.
Maori coach Donny Stevenson is especially wary of Australia's midfield "Maori connection" of Turinui and Timana Tahu, claiming they pose the biggest threat to his team.
"We haven't quite got it right together yet, we've been strong in areas in different games," Stevenson said.
"We've talked about the need to get all facets of our game right if we're going to have any chance against Australia.
"They've been pretty clinical, they play to their strengths, they've got a very good backline."
© 2008 AFP


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