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Qantas Wallabies Named For 2010 Bundaberg Red Tri Nations Rugby Series
July 08, 2010 - 10:00am
Story by: ARU
The selection of four new caps, and the return of the experienced front rowers Stephen Moore and Benn Robinson, highlights the Qantas Wallabies squad that has been unveiled today ahead of this year’s Bundaberg Red Tri Nations Rugby Series.
Just 28 of the 30 scheduled names have been released, with the coaching panel of Robbie Deans, Jim Williams and Richard Graham, and selector David Nucifora, opting to play a waiting game on the final two spots before confirming the final playing roster.
“We still have some decisions to make, and would like to see a little bit more club rugby before settling on the final two positions,” Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans says.
“Given the difficulties that we have experienced this year, in terms of our injury circumstance, we feel that it is prudent to allow ourselves a little bit more time in this instance to cover off any other requirements we feel that we will need.”
Injury has played a part in today’s selection, with prop Ben Alexander (knee) and No 8 Stephen Hoiles (Achilles) both added to the unavailable list from the original squad of 30 for the June Tests due to recent operations.
Hooker Tatafu Polota Nau has also not been considered as he awaits an operation on his ankle later this month that will have him ready to return in time for Australia’s Spring Tour.
Wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner, halfback Josh Valentine, props Pek Cowan and Laurie Weeks and hooker Huia Edmonds have all also missed out, after featuring in June’s squad for the Bundaberg Red Rugby Series.
In their place comes Queensland Reds forwards, prop James Slipper, loose forward Scott Higginbotham and lock Rob Simmons, inside centre Anthony Faingaa and Western Force loose forward Ben McCalman.
Slipper, last year’s Australian Under-20 Player of the Year, made his debut against England at Perth last month, and featured off the bench in three of the four June Tests after being promoted out of the Australian Barbarians squad when injury removed Alexander.
Faingaa and McCalman both impressed as part of the Barbarians squad during the two-match midweek series against England last month.
Simmons also featured in that series, returning from a month off due to a facial fracture in the second game, while Higginbotham was unavailable for the June squad due to a foot injury that was sustained in Queensland’s final Super 14 outing of the season.
“Anthony and Ben have both been rewarded for their performance against England, in terms of what they brought to those games, and what we feel they can add to our mix,” Deans says.
“They are both uncompromising players who are very direct, and showed playing for the Australian Barbarians that they have the ability to step up to the next level.”
Simmons and Higginbotham are in a similar category, Deans says.
“We included Rob in the original Barbarians squad as much for the experience as anything else, to get him up to date with our methods and familiar with our environment,” Deans says.
“He was coming off an injury break and we felt that background was important for him looking at the bigger picture. Being able to reintroduce him to the game during the second Barbarians outing was an added bonus, but the experience of the two weeks training with us offers him a good foundation for what is coming.”
While Higginbotham wasn’t available for the June series due to injury, Deans says he had always figured in the Wallabies plans, and was in a not dis-similar situation to that which surrounded halfback Will Genia last season.
Genia was injured late in the Reds’ 2009 Super 14 campaign and was unable to be introduced to the Wallabies in June, instead making his debut during the Tri Nations.
“If Scott can work out as well as Will has, we’ll be pretty happy and Australian rugby will be the better for it,” Deans says.
Higginbotham’s rise for Queensland this year has been timely with injury having sidelined both Australian Barbarians captain Hoiles, and the Qantas Wallabies regular No 8 Wycliff Palu, who is not due back until next season.
Genia (hand) and centre/wing Digby Ioane (shoulder) have been included, with both expected to be ready to go at some point during the early stages of the competition as they complete the rehabilitation from their recent injuries.
Just two hookers and two halfbacks have been named at this stage, although Deans says the involvement of 40 players through the June series means that the Wallabies do have players with recent background inside of the group to call on, should any reinforcement be required.
The returns of Moore and Robinson, who are both likely to play club rugby before Australia’s participation in the Tri Nations begins, adds experience to the squad.
“Having Stephen and Benn back on board is significant, both in terms of the expertise they bring in their respective positions, but also the knowledge and skill they will add to the whole group,” Deans says.
“The Tri Nations is the toughest rugby in the world, and their knowledge of the tournament from past experience will be of benefit to the whole group.”
This year sees the 15th edition of the annual three-nation tournament, which South Africa won last year.
The action begins on Saturday night in Auckland when the All Blacks host the Springboks in the first leg of a double-header on New Zealand soil, with the second match to be played in Wellington on Saturday week.
Australia, which has previously captured the title in 2000 and 2001, opens its campaign in Brisbane on 24 July when the Qantas Wallabies tackle the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium.
The corresponding match at the ground last year saw the Wallabies score a 21-6 victory over the reigning Rugby World Cup and eventual Tri Nations champions.
Australia and South Africa compete for the Mandela Trophy across their three matches in the Tri Nations. South Africa won the Trophy last year after Australia had been successful in 2008.
The Brisbane Test match is the first of three that the Wallabies play on successive weekends, with Australia hosting New Zealand in Melbourne the following Saturday, before the two teams fly to Christchurch for their second clash of the season at AMI Stadium.
The match in Melbourne heralds the start of the annual Bledisloe Cup rivalry, which for a third consecutive year will stretch beyond the Tri-Nations tournament, concluding with a return to Hong Kong on 30 October.
Australia and New Zealand first met in Hong Kong two years ago, with the All Blacks coming from behind at halftime to prevail 19-14.
Last year, the Bledisloe Cup rivalry was introduced to another Asian port when the teams played in Tokyo en-route to Europe for their respective Spring Tours.
The Wallabies must win three of the four Tests against the All Blacks to relieve the New Zealanders of the trophy, which Australia hasn’t held since it was surrendered to an All Black team co-coached by the current Qantas Wallabies mentor in 2003.
The Bledisloe Cup was first contested by Australia and New Zealand in 1931.
The second part of Australia’s Tri Nations programme sees a two-match tour of South Africa, kicking off in Pretoria on 28 August when the Wallabies play the first of two matches at altitude.
Australia has never won a Test at Loftus Versfeld, which is home to the Investec Super 14 champion Bulls, losing on all four previous visits, most recently in 2005.
The focus then switches to Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein where Australia will be bidding for its first win in the city since 1933.
Australia has won just two matches on the high veldt in the Republic, but has yet to record a success at altitude since South Africa returned from sporting isolation in 1992.
Australia’s sole wins on the high veldt came during its maiden appearance at Bloemfontein in 1933 and at Ellis Park in Johannesburg 30 years later.
After consecutive Tests in the Republic, the Wallabies return home for the final Tri Nations match against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
The Olympic venue has witnessed some tight contests between the two traditional rivals, including last year’s edition when just one point separated the sides, with New Zealand coming from behind at halftime to win 19-18.
Two years ago, Australia won a thrilling spectacle 34-19 at the ground.
This year’s Tri Nations finale will be the 11th match between the Qantas Wallabies and the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium, with Australia holding a six-wins-to-four advantage from the previous matches.
The Qantas Wallabies squad for the Bundaberg Red Tri Nations Series assembles in Sydney on Monday.
The Qantas Wallabies Squad for the 2010 Bundaberg Red Tri Nations Rugby Series is:
Adam Ashley-Cooper Fullback-Wing-Outside Centre Brumbies
Berrick Barnes Inside centre-Flyhalf NSW Waratahs
Kurtley Beale Fullback NSW Waratahs
Richard Brown No 8/Loose Forward Western Force
Luke Burgess Halfback NSW Waratahs
Mark Chisholm Lock Brumbies
Quade Cooper Flyhalf Queensland Reds
Ben Daley Prop Queensland Reds
Rocky Elsom (c) Flanker Brumbies
Anthony Faingaa Inside Centre Queensland Reds
Saia Faingaa Hooker Queensland Reds
Will Genia Halfback Queensland Reds
Matt Giteau Inside Centre Brumbies
Scott Higginbotham Loose forward Queensland Reds
Matt Hodgson Loose forward Western Force
Rob Horne Centre NSW Waratahs
Peter Hynes Wing Queensland Reds
Digby Ioane Centre/Wing Queensland Reds
Ben McCalman Lock/Loose Forward Western Force
Salesi Ma’afu Prop Brumbies
Stephen Moore Hooker Brumbies
Dean Mumm Lock/Loose-forward NSW Waratahs
James O’Connor Fullback Western Force
David Pocock Flanker Western Force
Benn Robinson Prop NSW Waratahs
Nathan Sharpe Lock Western Force
Rob Simmons Lock Queensland Reds
James Slipper Prop Queensland Reds
2010 Tri Nations Squad Player Profiles
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabi.../section/21893
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Wallaby factory in top gear. Rookie to Wallaby in 1 year.
Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
Originally Posted by The team sorted a bit
Courtesy of quality South African commentry
