Mitchell set for Wallabies nod over Davies

[travelling_gerry]

Mitchell set for Wallabies nod over Davies

Greg Growden

October 27, 2010
Drew Mitchell ... expected to be recalled by Robbie Deans. Photo: Getty Images

HONG KONG: The Rod Davies experiment appears to be on hold, with the Wallabies expected to recall Drew Mitchell for the final Bledisloe Cup match at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday night.
Although Robbie Deans regularly used Davies on the wing during the team's training camp in Sydney in the past few weeks, the Wallabies coach opted for a change in the Test back-three during yesterday's practice session with Mitchell appearing on the left wing alongside Kurtley Beale at fullback and James O'Connor on the other wing.
At the final training session before the line-up is announced tomorrow, Deans again showed that in times of need he reverts to tried combinations. While keen to use Davies's speed, Deans is returning to virtually the same line-up which beat the Springboks 41-39 in Bloemfontein last month- the only change being in the front-row with Ben Alexander returning from injury for Salesi Ma'afu at tighthead prop.
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Rod Davies ... set to miss out. Photo: Getty Images

Mitchell missed the following week's Test against the All Blacks in Sydney after hurting his hamstring in the build-up to his second-half try in Bloemfontein.
Deans is usually faithful to those who miss out on Tests through injury, which gives Mitchell great hope that his absence from the starting 15 was for only one international. It will also be a relief for Mitchell, who earlier in the year appeared to have lost the support of Deans when he was omitted from the Wallabies squad for a short period.
Now Lachie Turner is the player who has reason to feel hard done by if overlooked, as he was one of Australia's standout players in the Sydney Bledisloe Cup match. Turner, who took Mitchell's spot, turned in one of his best Test performances by irritating and, at times, baffling the All Blacks defence with his pace and determination. At worst, Turner deserves a bench spot, as he can cover several back-line positions.
The All Blacks are taking the same approach as the Australians, bringing back all of their main players for the Test. Their premier five-eighth Daniel Carter and hooker Keven Mealamu are expected to play, winger Israel Dagg is likely to be replaced by Joe Rokocoko, and Jerome Kaino is in line to return to the side of the scrum.
There is still uncertainty whether Carter, returning after ankle surgery, will start or play off the bench. Sonny Bill Williams is also being looked at for a reserves spot.


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/tr...026-172gg.html

[Burgs]

The bigger story being if Ben Alexander continues his career from where he was injured or if he has slipped.
Not as "sexy" as talking about speed merchants though.

[robyn <3]

Not as "sexy" as talking about speed merchants though.

Have you seen Drew's haircut? I'd rather talk about Matt Dunning!