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Poor Baaloo Bear Big Pete will be very excited i he gets named
Quest to unlock centre combination
Greg Growden
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 Print this article
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Yours … Scott Staniforth could play at centre against Fiji.
Photo: Reuters
John Connolly will tomorrow unveil the eighth centre combination he has used in his short reign as Wallabies coach, with Scott Staniforth and Adam Ashley-Cooper in line to be his latest midfield partnership for the Test against Fiji in Perth on Saturday night.
As the Wallabies selectors want to rest Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock for the first Tri Nations match against South Africa on June 16, it forces Connolly to field a new-look midfield, and try Ashley-Cooper in his preferred spot at outside-centre, the Wallabies' sixth different centre pairing in seven Tests.
After playing Ashley-Cooper out of position in the two-Test series against Wales, Connolly believes it is only fair to give the Brumbies utility an opportunity in his more customary spot to show what he can do at the top level.
This will also give Ashley-Cooper the chance to regain his confidence, which was dented during the Wales series, after being replaced in both Tests.
With Giteau out of action with a slight knee problem, and heading for South Africa on Friday night along with five other front-line Wallabies, there are few alternatives at inside-centre. Staniforth is the obvious choice, especially as he was tried at No.12 during last year's end-of-season tour of Europe, joining Mortlock in the centres for the 44-15 win over Scotland at Murrayfield. While he did not excel that night, it was still a solid, bustling performance that gave the Wallabies go-forward ball.
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David Lyons was also last sighted in the Test jersey at Murrayfield, and he seems certain to take over at No.8 from Wycliff Palu against Fiji. Connolly wants to give as many of the 30-man squad an opportunity in the first three Tests, prompting Lyons's promotion. Other anticipated changes include Adam Freier taking over as starting hooker from Stephen Moore, who struggled with his lineout throws in the second Wales Test, Sam Cordingley moving to the bench to back up halfback George Gregan, and Lote Tuqiri returning to the right wing.
And the pressure will be firmly applied on fullback Julian Huxley in his third Test, as he seems to be the only goalkicker in the starting line-up.
The push for John O'Neill to return as Australian Rugby Union chief executive continues, but those involved in the appointment remain coy over who is in contention and when there will be an announcement.
ARU chairman Peter McGrath said yesterday the ARU directors had received a report from the subcommittee involved in the CEO appointment at the weekend.
"We are happy with the report, which revolves around the process, but there is not a shortlist [of candidates]," McGrath said.
"Still, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, but we are still making certain checks and inquiries. It does involve a pretty diverse range of inquiries, but we still believe we will be sticking to our original deadline of weeks not months. We are certainly getting closer."
An ARU source last night said the appointment could be made "within days".
New pair centre of attention
Rupert Guinness
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 Print this article
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The long and the short of it … Fiji head coach Ilivasi Tabua, right, and kicking coach Shannon Fraser at training yesterday.
Photo: Tim Clayton
FIJI plans to expose the latest Wallaby centre combination by directing its attack at the midfield in the Perth Test on Saturday.
Instead of running out wide, Fiji technical adviser Shannon Fraser will direct his attack at Scott Staniforth and Adam Ashley-Cooper - expected to be John Connolly's eighth new centre pairing when the team is named today.
Fraser, the NSW Waratahs kicking coach, said Fiji's intent to hit the Wallaby combination of Staniforth at inside-centre and Ashley-Cooper at outside-centre was an experiment aimed at World Cup preparation, rather than trying to cause an upset win at Subiaco Oval.
Fraser, who has joined Fiji for their tilt at the World Cup, sees the Test as the start of his plan to extend their style of play beyond running the ball out wide.
He believes it would work even if Stirling Mortlock were available, rather than rested with Matt Giteau for the Tri Nations opener against South Africa on June 16.
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"There is potential to disrupt the centres a little," said Fraser, signed by head coach Ilivasi Tabua as kicking and defence coach and backs technical adviser.
Asked about the Ashley-Cooper and Mortlock combination used last week, Fraser said: "They are a bit unsettled and worked independently at times.
"And both, I believe, are without a world-class passing game. But [with] Mortlock rested they'll bring Staniforth in. With Ashley-Cooper it will be the same style."
Fraser was unconcerned that his comments might give away some of the surprise that their plan of attack may have had, but stressed that the midfield assault would be sporadic.
"When you play a nation like Fiji you expect to play with a lot of width," Fraser said. "I don't think they will expect it through the channel, more direct.
"It's something we will experiment with. It won't be for the 80 minutes. But we will look to barrel it up and see what results we get looking to the World Cup."
Fraser said introducing the tactic was as much through necessity as wanting the Fijians to add an extra string to their bow.
"You want to play to your strengths and the Fiji way is used to using the speed, agility and flare that they have got," he said.
"But they can't do that for 80 minutes. When they fall down in that they get points scored against them. We've seen a potential way to get a bit of headway."
Fraser is not Fiji's only Australian coach. Greg Mumm, brother of NSW and Australia A forward Dean Mumm, is a technical adviser for the forwards.
Wallabies back-rower David Lyons, who will be named as No.8, was intrigued by Fraser's game plan. When told of it, Lyons said: "Is he? That's interesting.
"That will mean that we will be pretty involved in making plenty of tackles."
Lyons, in his first Test for the year, needs to make every tackle count, as well as every run with the ball, every shove in the scrum and jump in the line-out.
The match against Scotland in Australia's end-of-season tour last year was Lyons's most recent Test, and he knows the benchmark to keep his place is high.
Adding to the pressure is that he's replacing Wycliff Palu who produced a man-of-the-match performance in the second Test win against Wales last week.
"I understand that 'Cliffy' has played pretty well there, but it is my chance to try and play well myself now," Lyons said. "I'm confident I can do very well. I've had a couple of good weeks' training. Now I just have to get into it."
The Test on Saturday will be Lyons's first against Fiji. But having played in the 2004 Test against the Pacific Islanders, he is prepared for a physical battle up front.
"When you play these Islander sides they are always very physical. I don't think this weekend will be any different," he said.
Fiji arrived in Australia yesterday and trained at Henson Park while in transit in Sydney before flying to Perth last night.
Coach Tabua has recalled former captain Mosese Rauluni to replace halfback Seveci Taka and flanker Apolosi Satala for injured Netani Talei. France-based prop Henry Qiodravu will make his first appearance since 2001. He replaces Alefoso Yalayalatabua who was unable to obtain a visa.
Meanwhile, Jim Kayes from the Dominion Post reports All Blacks coach Graham Henry has come out swinging again.
A week after he blasted the International Rugby Board and French Federation for allowing a weakened French team to tour New Zealand, Henry yesterday slammed teams that deliberately slow the game down.
The coach called for action on the time taken by scrums, false injuries and the video referee. He accused France of negative scrum tactics in their 42-11 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park last Saturday and made it clear that French players went down injured when their team was on the rack.
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Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
