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Wallabies Coach John Connolly today announced his team for Saturday’s third Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series Test, against Fiji at Subiaco Oval in Perth.
Connolly has made wholesale changes to his starting lineup in a bid to unearth depth in his squad, with only five players retaining their place in the starting XV after last week’s 31-0 victory over Wales in Brisbane.
Flyhalf Stephen Larkham, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper and fullback Julian Huxley remain in the backline, while lock Dan Vickerman is the only forward in this week’s starting pack to have started the match in Brisbane.
In the backline, Connolly has switched Adam Ashley-Cooper to outside centre, awarding Scott Staniforth his first Test cap on Australian soil at inside centre.
Fijian-born winger Lote Tuqiri will make his first appearance for the series, joining ‘local’ Perth favourite Mitchell to form a speedy combination on the edges for the Wallabies.
Tuqiri will play his first Test since last year’s Spring Tour after undertaking a four-week physical fitness and speed program at the completion of his Super 14 campaign with the Waratahs.
Tuqiri’s Waratahs teammate Adam Freier will make his first start in the Number 2 jersey since June last year and will pack down in an all-NSW front row with Matt Dunning and Al Baxter.
22 year old Queesland lock James Horwill is set to become the fourth Wallabies debutante this season and the twelfth rookie introduced to Test rugby in the space of twelve months by Connolly, when he runs out alongside 43-Test veteran Vickerman in the second row.
Mark Chisholm makes the switch to blindside flanker, where he started on three occasions for the Wallabies in 2006, while David Lyons has been awarded his first opportunity for the year at Number 8.
129-Test veteran George Gregan will run on at scrumhalf for the first time this year.
Backing him up on the reserves bench will be Sam Cordingley, who was called into the Wallabies squad on Monday after Matt Giteau was ruled out of the match with a knee injury.
The match will be the first meeting between the Wallabies and Fiji since 1998, while in sixteen meetings of the two nations, Fiji’s two Test victories over Australia have both come on Australian soil.
Connolly said the Wallabies were looking to turn their game up another notch on Saturday.
“We’re looking to improve our performances each week and that will be no different on Saturday,” said Connolly.
“This Test will be extremely important for the players involved and very important for the team as we look to establish some depth in positions in the build up to the World Cup,” he said.
“We’re expecting nothing less than a tough Test match on Saturday. The Fijians will throw everything at us and we intend to do the same in return.”
QANTAS WALLABIES v FIJI
Saturday 9 June 2007
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Kick off: 6.05pm WA time, 8.05pm EST
Wallabies
1. Matt Dunning
2. Adam Freier
3. Al Baxter
4. James Horwill #D
5. Dan Vickerman
6. Mark Chisholm
7. Phil Waugh (c)
8. David Lyons
9. George Gregan (vc)
10. Stephen Larkham
11. Lote Tuqiri
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Julian Huxley
16. Stephen Moore
17. Benn Robinson
18. Stephen Hoiles
19. George Smith
20. Sam Cordingley
21. Sam Norton-Knight
22. Stirling Mortlock (vc)
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
Alrite!!! Hope he has a great game and stamps his claim for more appearances.![]()
thinking the same![]()
61 years between Grand SlamsWas the wait worth it - Ya betta baby
Well, with Drew, Huxley and Lote all keen to run at players (or around them) he should get a fair amount of the pill sent his way.
I'm sure he'll put on a good display for his home ground fans.
just noticed theres only 2 Force members in the squad.
Hope the others are just being 'rested' for SA game.
Last edited by hopep; 06-06-07 at 13:10. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Watch out Perth here comes Big Pete Staniforth and the lovely Dinah
They bringing the other Staniforth kids with them?
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
maybe would be a great time to present the 2006 TWF Player of the Year Award.......with his family all here....
Good to see Spanners in the starting line up, dont know what is happening with Al Baxter in there though after last weeks game he is not the missing link he is the lost link. Why not try Hardy or Troy in there Knuckles you have done it again.
Good to see Spanners in the lineup at last... and in the position that we all would prefer to see him playing for the force...
Should be a good match I reckon.
Let the force go in 2009
Bet they wish they could get flown over![]()
Is Connolly having an affair with Ashley-Cooper or something? He must be the only person who rates him!!
CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!!
OIIIIOriginally Posted by JediKnight
Maybe Connolly is finally listening to the post on TWF and the rest of the blind Freddies out there that Spanner needed to get a go at 12!!!![]()
And remember "Staniforth is King!!!" - Have an absolute blinder!!! Stuff the leagies - give Stanniforth a go!!
Well I'll be doing my best to cheer him on Saturday night and celebrating the occassion with a few!!!![]()
Wooo Hhoooo!!!!
Hope he does well, John Mitchell should take notes too!
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.