Wallabies make shock McCalman move

[The InnFORCEr]

Jim Morton,
AAP
July 3, 2013,
10:31 am

Versatile back-rower Ben McCalman is a bench bolter for the Wallabies in a shock move for Saturday night's series decider against the British and Irish Lions.

Australia have confirmed McCalman will make his international return at Sydney's ANZ Stadium after failing to play a Test in 2012 due to injury.

The Western Force forward's inclusion in the 23-man squad presents an intriguing question over who else will line up in the Wallabies back-row and bench.

McCalman, who missed selection in Robbie Deans' initial 25-man squad six weeks ago, said he was covering blind-side flanker and No.8.

There have been question marks over incumbent No.8 Wycliff Palu's fitness and ability to overcome a lingering knee problem.

Veteran George Smith is also in the mix to play after overcoming a knee injury and Deans has said he wants improvement at the breakdown where young openside Michael Hooper was outpointed by Sam Warburton in the 16-15 second Test victory.

Deans may take a risk by playing six forwards and only two backs on the bench, including two back-rowers, or could possibly start with two ball-scavengers.

Queensland No.7 Liam Gill was influential when he came off the bench in Melbourne and could also be an option to start.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...mccalman-move/

[GAFFA]

Lions team has been named

1. Corbisiero
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. A W Jones (c)
5. Parling
6. Lydiate
7. O'Brien
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Davies
14. Bowe
15. Halfpenny

16. T Youngs
17 Cole
18. Vunipola
19. Gray
20. Tipuric
21. Murray
22. Farrel
23. Tuilagi

[chibi]

Love to see Smith on there!

[WF1964]

Lions team has been named

1. Corbisiero
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. A W Jones (c)
5. Parling
6. Lydiate
7. O'Brien
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Davies
14. Bowe
15. Halfpenny

16. T Youngs
17 Cole
18. Vunipola
19. Gray
20. Tipuric
21. Murray
22. Farrel
23. Tuilagi

No BO'D

[The InnFORCEr]

Which will be the only Lions game I think he will have not played in.

Good selection Gats

[zimeric]

Looks like they are returning to the second channel crash ball with bowe, north, davies and roberts
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[jono]

Read an article on twitter that says mowen is wallabies captain?
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[PeterM]

Is going to be an interesting match this weekend I would have liked to have seen the Owen Farrell start in place of Sexton

Also feel for BOD what a fantastic servant he has been to the Lions

Pleased to see McCalman has been given a call up been awesome this season
I want to see MMM in the starting XV on Saturday

[WFDom]

Looks like Gatland has shit himself & gone for his entire Wales back line + one Irishman!

[GAFFA]

Looks like Gatland has shit himself & gone for his entire Wales back line + one Irishman!

2 Irishmen Bowe and Sexton

[GAFFA]

WALLABIES TEAM TO PLAY THE LIONS

1. Benn Robinson.
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill ©
5. Kane Douglas
6. Ben Mowen
7. George Smith
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Will Genia
10. James O’Connor
11. Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Israel Folau
15. Kurtley Beale

Reserves
16. Saia Faingaa
17. James Slippper
18. Sekope Kepu
19. Rob Simmons
20. Ben McCalman
21. Michael Hooper
22. Nick Phipps
23. Jesse Mogg

[Buddha Handy]

tough on Hooper and Gill but you need Smith in there.

They will be going Ape Shit over east about McCalman on the bench, they don't rate him at all. Personally I would have preferred MMM instead of Simmons and then another back on the bench.

[GAFFA]

tough on Hooper and Gill but you need Smith in there.

They will be going Ape Shit over east about McCalman on the bench, they don't rate him at all. Personally I would have preferred MMM instead of Simmons and then another back on the bench.

Plenty on G&G but I think the naming of Smith at 7 has calmed then down a bit. Im a little worried about 2 back on the bench with no centre cover. AAC was only just holing together after the melb game hopefully he lasts the full 80.

[The InnFORCEr]

Hooper played as a back for the end of game one if my blurry memory serves me correct.

[GAFFA]

Hooper played as a back for the end of game one if my blurry memory serves me correct.

yeah he went to 12 when Lilo McCabe and Barnes all ended there night on a stretcher.

The very next play after Hooper moved to 12 Cuthbert went through the 10/12 channel and scored a try hopefully he wont be needed there this week. Smith has played ost of Centre in Japan i think aswell so maybe he could cover.