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Teenage Emirates Western Force back James O’Connor has been named at fullback for the Wallabies clash with Italy in Canberra this Saturday night (5.35pm WST).
The Australian side’s first Test match in Canberra since 2000 will provide O’Connor with his second Test cap, adding to his maiden appearance against the Azzurri in Padova last November.
O’Connor scored the final try in the Australian’s demolition of the Barbarians and has been elevated to the starting lineup ahead of the Brumbies Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The eighteen-year-old’s inclusion is one of two changes to the Wallabies starting lineup following an impressive 55-7 season-opening victory over the Barbarians in a match without official Test status last weekend.
The other addition to the starting XV, Dean Mumm, comes at the expense of Emirates Western Force flanker Matt Hodgson, who has ruled out by Wallabies medical staff on Sunday.
27-year-old Hodgson started in the number six jersey against the Barbarians, representing the Wallabies for the first time, but succumbed to a shoulder injury and is likely to be sidelined for three weeks.
The Wallabies team to take on Italy in the 2009 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series opener at Canberra Stadium is as follows:
2009 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series
Wallabies v Italy
Saturday 13 June, 2009
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick off: 5.35pm WST (7.35pm AEST)
Wallabies (Emirates Western Force players in bold)
1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Al Baxter
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Dean Mumm
7. George Smith
8. Richard Brown
9. Luke Burgess
10. Matt Giteau
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Stirling Mortlock (c)
14. Lachie Turner
15. James O’Connor
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Ben Alexander
18. Peter Kimlin
19. David Pocock
20. Josh Valentine
21. Quade Cooper
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper
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