Elsom back to face Boks
2008-08-21 13:51
Durban - The return from injury of flank Rocky Elsom and the placement of Drew Mitchell at fullback and Sam Cordingley at scrumhalf, highlight the Wallabies side named for the Tri-Nations match against South Africa in Durban.
The trio represent three of the five personnel changes that have been made to the Australian combination from that which lost the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland.
Elsom is back after a strained foot ligament prevented his participation in that loss three weeks ago.
His return comes a week earlier than was originally anticipated, but having satisfied the medical and coaching staff as to the level of his preparedness for the task ahead.
Lock James Horwill has also been cleared to play, after being dogged by a foot injury following the Auckland match. Mitchell and Cordingley take the places of the injured Adam Ashley-Cooper and Luke Burgess respectively.
The other changes to the Australian starting XV from that which appeared most recently in the series; see Daniel Vickerman resume his starting position in the second-row, having come from the bench in his two Test outings of the season to date.
Tighthead prop Matt Dunning is also restored to the run on side for the first time since the opening international of the year against Ireland. He swaps places with Al Baxter, who drops to a place among the run on reserves.
The starting side features four changes from the combination which eclipsed South Africa 16-9 in the Wallabies opening match of the 2008 Tri-Nations series.
Brett Sheehan is promoted to the match-day squad for the first time this year following Cordingley's elevation into the starting line-up, being joined by Timana Tahu and Ryan Cross among the back replacements.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is happy with his team's preparation through the week as it heads towards the Durban match.
"Training has gone well, and were looking forward to the opportunity we have in front of us," Deans said.
While the Wallabies recent run of losses in South Africa have been repeatedly highlighted in the lead-up to the current teams visit, Deans is only interested in looking forward.
"It (the record) highlights the extent of the opportunity that we, as a team, have in front of us to achieve something significant, and that's exciting," Deans said.
"But as far as its relevance is concerned in the preparations for Saturday's game, it doesn't really have any. We're focusing totally on what is in front of us. The history be it good or bad isn't a factor once the game kicks off!"
The Wallabies have been based at sea level in Cape Town all week after arriving in South Africa last Friday night.
Preparations for the Test match will be wrapped up in Cape Town, where the captain's run will be held on Friday morning, prior to transferring to the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast in the afternoon.
The Wallabies will wear black arm-bands during the match as a mark of respect for the former Australian representatives Roy Prosser and Malcolm van Gelder who both passed away just prior to the teams departure for South Africa.
Wallabies team:
15. Drew Mitchell, 14. Peter Hynes, 13. Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12. Berrick Barnes, 11. Lote Tuqiri, 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Sam Cordingley, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. George Smith, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Daniel Vickerman, 4. James Horwill, 3. Matt Dunning, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Benn Robinson.
Reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Hugh McMeniman, 19. Phil Waugh, 20. Brett Sheehan, 21. Timana Tahu, 22. Ryan Cross.
Kick-off: 15:00