Wallabies: Air of confidence

2008-08-18 22:11

Cape Town - There was a quiet confident air hanging over the Australian rugby camp as they went through their paces at Bishops on Monday, in preparation for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against the Springboks in Durban.

And their coach Robbie Deans even gave the media some early pointers about his starting XV, which will only be officially announced at their Cape Town hotel on Thursday.

Wallaby flanker Rocky Elsom and lock James Horwill did not train with the squad as they are both nursing injuries but kept an eye on proceedings armed with ice packs on the sidelines.

The big blindside flanker Elsom arrived in South Africa with strained foot ligaments in his left foot and he is unlikely to win the race to regain fitness in time for the Durban Test. However, the team management expect him to be fit for Johannesburg next week. Deans is likely to opt for the bustling Hugh McMeniman, who also offers line-out options.

Horwill, an abrasive lock in the Bakkies Botha mould, also has a foot injury but he is soon to resume training. His lock partner on Saturday is likely to be Daniel Vickerman, a former Bishops old boy, who certainly knew his way around the school grounds at training on Monday.

With Luke Burgess a late withdrawal from the Wallabies' tour squad Deans will have to find a new scrumhalf. However, he said that he would be opting for experience when considering his choice as the No 10, which suggests that veteran Sam Cordingly will crack the nod. The 32-year-old Brumbies halfback made his Test debut in 2000.

Brett Sheehan, who has yet to have a run at Test level this season, will provide back-up on the bench.

One area that Deans is still uncertain about is the loose-trio but the signs are that the tenacious flanker and former Aussie captain Phil Waugh will start off on the bench.

- SAPA