Deans drops veteran lock Sharpe

2008-08-14 07:50

Brisbane - Veteran lock Nathan Sharpe has been dropped from the Australian squad heading to South Africa for the final two Tri-Nations matches later this month.

Coach Robbie Deans has also left out starting scrumhalf Luke Burgess after he sustained a knee injury in training on Wednesday.

An MRI scan on Thursday revealed a meniscus tear which will put Burgess out of action for at least four weeks.

"It was an innocuous-looking incident," Deans said.

"Unfortunately Luke's knee blew up afterwards, was worse again this morning, and the scan has then revealed the bad news."

Sam Cordingley and Brett Sheehan have been named as the two scrumhalves in the 28-man squad.

Three hookers have been included - Stephen Moore, Adam Freier and Tatafu Polota-Nau - while injured flanker Rocky Elsom (foot ligament strain) and fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper (broken hand) will travel but both are likely to miss the first Test.

Deans has chosen 16 forwards and 12 backs in the squad.

The Wallabies play South Africa at Durban on Aug. 23 and in Johannesburg a week later.

Squad: Stirling Mortlock (captain), Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Al Baxter, Richard Brown, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Matt Giteau, James Horwill, Peter Hynes, Hugh McMeniman, Drew Mitchell, Dean Mumm, Stephen Moore, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Brett Sheehan, George Smith, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner, Phil Waugh, Dan Vickerman.

- Reuters