Cooper returns
26 Aug 2010
Quade Cooper is the only change to the Wallabies side to face the Springboks at Loftus on Saturday.
Cooper was banned for two weeks after his dangerous tackle on Morne Steyn during Australia’s 30-13 win over the Boks in Brisbane, and subsequently missed the Wallabies’ two losses to the All Blacks. Cooper replaces centre Anthony Faainga – who drops to the bench – with Matt Giteau switching to the No 12 jersey.
Robbie Deans’ side lacked impetus and imagination with ball in hand in Christchurch where they lost 20-10 despite dominating possession, but Cooper’s return should ensure the Boks’ leaky defence is tested once again.
Cooper’s Reds team-mate Scott Higginbotham has been included on the bench for the injured Matt Hodgson. Higginbotham will win his Wallabies debut if Deans uses him, while he’ll become the 27th player introduced to Test rugby by Deans since the start of his tenure.
In the other change to the 22, Force utility forward Ben McCalman replaces Rob Simmons.
Australia – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Saia Faainga, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Ben McCalman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Anthony Faainga.
51 Comments
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27 Aug 2010, 08:32 am
@Stoan(Stoan)-18: I agree with Bok Fan. He is naturally a ball in hand type player. He is playing towards the Bok tactics which is to kick a lot.
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