Shepherd Named At Fullback For Australia A's PNC Finale

[NewsBot]

Shepherd Named At Fullback For Australia A's PNC Finale

Selectors have made five changes to the team which went down to the Junior All Blacks last weekend for Australia A’s final hitout in the iRB Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) against Fiji in Suva on Saturday.

Waratahs flyer Lachie Turner also returns to the starting lineup, while Cameron Shepherd moves from the wing to replace Peter Hewat at fullback.

Queensland’s Berrick Barnes has been given a late chance to stake his World Cup selection claims, after being selected at flyhalf, while Waratahs scrumhalf Josh Valentine replaces Josh Holmes.

Emirates Western Force flanker David Pocock comes in for the injured Julian Salvi who flies home tomorrow.

Seven members of last week’s Australia A pack have been given another chance to show their wares against the Fijians and press their claims for a call up to the Wallabies World Cup squad.

Head Coach Laurie Fisher said Australia A must bounce back from last week’s 50-0 loss in New Zealand and finish the campaign on a positive note.

“Last week we were disappointing right across the park and all the guys know they need to perform this week to have any chance of getting on the plane to France, so I expect a much more committed effort against Fiji.”

“Berrick Barnes has been given his opportunity at flyhalf and we’ve also brought in Josh Valentine’s experience at the base of the ruck.”

“I’ve opted for speed out wide with Digby Ioane, Lachie Turner and Cameron Shepherd in our back three.”

Australia A’s final Pacific Nations Cup match will be telecast on ABC 2 Digital from 1.30pm.

2007 iRB Pacific Nations Cup

Match: Fiji v Australia A

Venue: National Stadium, Suva

Date: Saturday, 23 June 2007

Kick Off: 3:00pm (1:00pm AEST)

Australia A

1. Rodney Blake
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Nic Henderson
4. Alister Campbell (c)
5. James Horwill
6. Hugh McMeniman
7. David Pocock
8. David Lyons

9. Josh Valentine
10. Berrick Barnes
11. Lachie Turner
12. Ryan Cross
13. Junior Pelesasa
14. Digby Ioane
15. Cameron Shepherd

16. Sean Hardman
17. Gareth Hardy
18. Dean Mumm
19. Jone Tawake
20. Josh Holmes
21. Sam Norton-Knight
22. Clinton Schifcofske

[Happy]

godo work Cameron - strap up that knee and get in there son!!! Make JC unable to pick Huxley over you!

[WF2006]

Nice lookin back line!!!
Pity 'bout that Tah on the wing!

[Thequeerone]

About Time - with the number of changes in last weeks team I thought that Laurie Fisher had forgotten the old addage about a team being a team not a collection of stars etc.. - now with Cam on board a completeish EWF backline and a couple of the forwards as well - can we replay the Junior All Blacks - bet we would get a different result

[Darren]

Onya Cam!

May the paddock rise up to meet you,
May the wind be at your back,
May ytur kick be straight and true,
and may Huxley get the sack!

[AndyS]

Apart from Valentine for Holmes, that looks a remarkably handy side.

Seems to me, they are going to have to put at least 50 points on Fiji for any players to really press for selection - the guys they are challenging all played here the other week, and that's what they did.

[prop53]

good on yeah sheps, but a starting line up for Hardy

[inactive]

whens spanner going to get a run

[Darren]

not soon enough...

[The InnFORCEr]

whens spanner going to get a run

When we really need him.....RWC

[PerthGirl]

This is his chance to claim the fullback spot in Melbourne, or at least a spot on the bench. Mind you he hasn't played fullback for a while. Hopefully he will be fullback for the Force next season with Mitchell on the wing.

[kelv]

I think its good to see turner on the wing someone with some real speed.

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Kelv good to see ya back. Im not worried about our need for wingers. Im more concerned with our need for a Fullback.

[PerthGirl]

League converts added to squad

June 23, 2007
LEAGUE converts Ryan Cross and Berrick Barnes moved closer to challenging for Rugby World Cup berths after being named in a 32-man Australia squad ahead of next Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Five-eighth Barnes and centre Cross earned call-ups to the Wallabies' Melbourne training camp after playing for Australia A in Saturday's 14-14 Pacific Nations Cup draw with Fiji in Suva.
Full back Chris Latham, who hasn't played this season because of a knee reconstruction last January, was also named in the squad.
However, Wallabies coach John Connolly emphasised Latham wasn't under consideration for next Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test, but would train with the squad throughout the week.
Connolly was hopeful Latham would make his Test return in at least one of the Wallabies final two Tri-Nations games, though he expected the Reds custodian to play at least one club match first.
He said Queensland pivot Barnes and Western Force back Cross were both unlikely to be considered for the final 22 in next week's showdown with World Cup favourite New Zealand.
While Waratah's utility Sam Norton-Knight was unable to fully capitalise on a couple of opportunities as back-up five-eighth to Stephen Larkham in the early season domestic Test, Barnes performed consistently well for Australia A throughout the six-team round-robin PNC tournament.
"Norton-Knight had a couple of opportunities and I guess we've got a decision to make there in the next few weeks," Connolly said.
Cross, who came over from rugby league at the end of last year, was used at inside centre through the PNC after lining up at outside centre in the Super 14 tournament.
"He was probably the pick of our backs today," Australia A coach Laurie Fisher said in Suva.
"He took the ball to the line and made some good half breaks."
Also chosen for the Melbourne camp were three other members of the Australia A team – prop Rodney Blake and back rowers David Lyons and Hugh McMeniman.
Two other props, Benn Robinson and Al Baxter, and backs Mark Gerrard and Sam Cordingley, will join the squad in Melbourne on Sunday after playing in Sydney club matches.
Australia A lock James Horwill, who missed the Fiji match with an ankle injury, will also link up with the squad on Sunday.
Connolly will unveil this 22 man squad to play New Zealand on Wednesday morning.

Not good news for Cam but great for Ryan Cross

[travelling_gerry]

Yes...Cam looked very tentative......the ones picked for the squad were the stand out players though