Sharpe joins casualty ward

By Jim Morton
July 03, 2008 AUSTRALIA have suffered a late injury blow ahead of Saturday night's rugby Test against France with veteran lock Nathan Sharpe ruled out with a groin strain.
New South Wales second-rower Dean Mumm has been promoted for a maiden Test start in a decidedly inexperienced Wallabies outfit that features seven starters with less than 10 international caps.

Sharpe sustained the injury when he stumbled during training at Ballymore on Thursday morning and coach Robbie Deans had little choice but to scratch him from the Suncorp Stadium clash.

"It's unfortunate but the injury is restricting Nathan, so the choice was made for us," said Deans.

"We gave it as much time as we could, to allow it to settle but, with the game just two days away, we had to make the call and move on."

Australia A forward Hugh McMeniman made a rushed flight from Sydney to Brisbane to sit on the bench after originally preparing to play against New Zealand Maori on Sunday.

The loss of stalwart Sharpe saps the Wallabies pack of 66 Tests worth of experience and forces a major disruption to the lineout.

James Horwill is now set to call the lineout in a big ask of the abrasive lock in just his fourth Test.

"The loss of Nathan obviously tests our depth, in terms of the Test experience our two locks have, but we've got total confidence in the guys who are there," Deans said.

"They've done the work on the training paddock and competed well in their Test careers so far. There's a great opportunity ahead for both of them."

Hooker Stephen Moore, who plays with Horwill for Queeensland, also confidently backed the 23-year-old and Mumm, whose two Tests have come off the bench, to ensure the lineout continues to be an area of strength.

"It won't be an issue there, they both know the options inside out so I think in attack and defence whoever calls the shots will do well," Moore said.

Sharpe's injury comes at an untimely moment for the Western Force skipper with long-time second-row partner Dan Vickerman due to return from ankle surgery late this month.

Horwill has applied pressure to Sharpe's position in the Wallabies pack with Vickerman expected to return for their second Tri-Nations fixture against New Zealand on July 26 in Sydney.

Australia must now overcome the French resistance with one of their most inexperienced teams in the professional era.

Sharpe joins Vickerman, Matt Dunning (infection), Lote Tuqiri (knee), Chris Latham (shoulder) and Wycliff Palu (shoulder) in the casualty ward, while veteran halves George Gregan and Stephen Larkham have retired from international rugby.

Nine of the starting team have played less than 20 internationals and only six started in the Wallabies World Cup quarter-final loss to England.

The combined total of Mumm and Horwill's five Tests is in stark contrast to France's second row, with captain Lionel Nallet and cult hero Sebastien Chabal both in the twilight of their careers at 30.

Playmaker Matt Giteau, who has called for greater patience than in the 34-13 first Test win in Sydney, rated Saturday night's clash as a big step forward into the future for Australian rugby

"When you looked at the squad when it was first picked there was a lot of youth and a lot of new guys and it needed to happen," Giteau said.

"We lost a lot of senior guys with George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and Chris Latham (signing overseas).

"This was always going to happen and I think this is a great big step forward for Australian rugby."

Giteau said debutant winger Lachie Turner had shown he had the big-match temperament to thrive in the Test arena after starring for NSW in the Super 14 final against Deans' Crusaders.

"I think Lachie will be fine," he said. "If you look at Lachie in the Super 14 final he scored two tries so he's shown that he can handle the pressure and play good rugby in big matches."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html