Wallaby Squad Versus Wales Announced

[Thequeerone]

Straight from

http://www.rugbywa.com.au/news/2007/.../section/50753

Sharpe, Giteau, Mitchell And Staniforth Named In Wallaby 22 For Wales Test

Wednesday, May 23, 2007 11:22am
Matt Giteau will start at halfback

Wallabies Coach John Connolly today announced his team for Saturday’s opening Test of the 2007 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series against Wales at Telstra Stadium in Sydney.

Both sides enter the clash with unfinished business after last year’s dramatic 29-all draw at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.

27 year old Brumbies utility Julian Huxley will make his Test debut at fullback, while Western Force back Drew Mitchell, Brumbies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper and Waratahs prop Matt Dunning will make their first appearances for the Wallabies since 2005.

Huxley will become the 816th player to represent the Wallabies and will have first chance to impress in the number 15 jersey in the absence of injured veteran Chris Latham.

Mitchell, who scored six tries in his ten Test appearances in 2005, makes his return to the Wallabies starting XV for the first time since the clash with Wales on the 2005 Spring Tour.

Prop Matt Dunning, who has added 8kg of bulk since his last match for the Wallabies, will be re-united in the front row with his Waratahs teammate Al Baxter for the first time since the match against England on the same tour.

Adam Ashley-Cooper will start the match in the unfamiliar role of inside centre with Matt Giteau retaining the Wallaby No.9 jersey.

Flanker Phil Waugh will Captain the team for the second time, with Wallabies co-captain Stirling Mortlock and George Smith named as vice captains for the Test.

Brumbies giant Mark Chisholm, who has played in 25 consecutive matches for the Wallabies since the start of the 2005 season, has been named alongside Nathan Sharpe at lock with Dan Vickerman to sit on the reserves bench in his return from a shoulder reconstruction.

Also making a return to Test rugby is Waratahs hooker Adam Freier, who was named on the reserves bench to back up starting No.2 Stephen Moore.

Connolly has employed a five-two split on the bench, naming five forwards and two backs on his reserves bench.

Connolly is expecting a physical hit out with the Welsh in the first of seven winter Tests for the Wallabies.

“The squad they (Wales) have brought out is different to their Six Nations squad but they have added 200 caps of Test experience and will field a very strong team on Saturday night,” said Connolly.

“We’re expecting a very competitive Test which will give us a good starting point for the season and help us understand where we’re at as team,” he said.

“We have a strong focus on building the depth within the squad and we are very keen to see how the players perform over the course of the domestic season and Tri Nations.”

WALLABIES v WALES

Saturday 26 May 2007

Telstra Stadium, Sydney

Kick off: 8.05pm EST or 6.05 pm Perth

Wallabies

1. Matt Dunning
2. Stephen Moore
3. Al Baxter
4. Nathan Sharpe
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Phil Waugh (c)
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Matt Giteau
10. Stephen Larkham
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Adam Ashley-Cooper
13. Stirling Mortlock (vc)
14. Mark Gerrard
15. Julian Huxley #D
16. Adam Freier
17. Guy Shepherdson
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Stephen Hoiles
20. George Smith (vc)
21. George Gregan
22. Scott Staniforth

#D = Test debut

Match notes



* Last meeting: Australia 29 Wales 29, Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, November 4 2006.
* Overall: Played 24, Australia 14, Wales 9, Drawn 1.
* Last match in Sydney: 2003 - Australia 30 def Wales 10.
* Wales have not defeated the Wallabies in Australia since 1969 (19-16 in Sydney).

[WF2006]

I's is a still shakin' my head!

2 of the worst form Aussie props in the S14
a guy who hasn't played 12 since he was in school
another that only half-back when playing for Dumbo (and hasn't given the position a go for 6-7 months)
a loosie that missed most of the season (though I'm not questioning his skill and talent)
A wing that hasn't played there all season (though many here - me included - think he should have)
I'm not even going to comment on the hooker!

So much for "picking on form" Mr Colon-y!

[Burgs]

What he said.
A loss is on the cards and hopefully by way of a front row pummeling to end this fabrication.

[AndyS]

If the props aren't up to it, I hope we find out now. I think we have done very little to wipe away the taint of Twickenham and it would therefore be a collossal risk to field essentially the same scrum in the WC (especially if the QF opponent was England). Tell me they wouldn't be straignt into the refs ear, reminding him of that shambolic day, pointing out that it is the same personnel and suggesting that any scrum infringements could be firmly laid at Australia's door.

[hopep]

If the props aren't up to it?
Andy - wev'e know for the last 3 seasons that BAXTER CAN'T BIND !!
dunning might have put on more Kgs, but is it muscle? will it add power to scrumming or mauling - not likely he has arrived late at mauls and rucks for Tahs all season.

Wales, on paper, has the wood over our front row. We'll need to rely on the back row to scrounge and turn over ball.

[inactive]

at least we know spanner shouid get a run woot woot no one else to cover it really

[James]

Without Mat Rogers I'm starting to think Spanner might be the backline Mr Fixit (pardon the pun). He knows how to play centre inside and out (pardon the second pun) and is great on the wings.

[pruc]

this team is an insult to australia rugby.