Deans deploys first-rate heavies

Deans deploys first-rate heavies

7 Jun 2012

Robbie Deans has picked his strongest front row and centre combination for the Wallabies’ first Test against Wales.

Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu come into the front row after being left out of the match against Scotland. In the midfield, Pat McCabe and Rob Horne are preferred.

Other changes to the side that lost to Scotland see Wycliff Palu starting at No 8 and Scott Higginbotham moving to blindside flank. Nathan Sharpe is retained and will be joined by Rob Simmons in the second row.

As expected, halfbacks Will Genia and Berrick Barnes will start their second match in the space of five days, as will winger Digby Ioane. Adam Ashley-Cooper is the new face at fullback, while Cooper Vuna comes in for Joe Tomane who has injured his ankle and will be out for six weeks.

Wallabies – 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Cooper Vuna, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dave Dennis, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Nic White, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Mike Harris.


27 Comments

  • 1.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 09:38 am

    time to bust out a prayer dragons…

  • 2.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 09:39 am

    huge pressure but no guarantee they’ll beat the welsh.

  • 3.ufo: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 09:42 am

    Good to see that Nathan Sharpe’s great form has forced Deans to start him this year…

    Couldn’t believe it last year when Deans was dropping and shunting Sharpe in and out of the team… Next to Nobody… gotta be the Wallabies second best ever lock…

  • 4.gonzo: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 09:49 am

    Four Kiwis and it would have been five if Cooper had recovered sooner. If Deans can’t coach the ABs, he’ll build his own team of New Zealanders

  • 5.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 09:52 am

    A few years ago half the Aussie cricket team left at once, and they still haven’t recovered. Now the same things appears to have happened to their rugby side. This team posted above doesn’t impress at all. I’m not surprised they struggled against Scotland.

  • 6.Tarlo: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:24 am

    This is a pretty weak team if you ask me… But can’t think of anyone who should be there and isn’t. A pretty sad indictment on the state of Australian Rugby at the moment.

  • 7.Bokhoring: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:28 am

    Could we see old Jake called in should the Aussies loose to Wales?

  • 8.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:38 am

    Trying to give Aussies benefit of the doubt, Win or lose, they have a tough year ahead.

  • 9.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:38 am

    @Bokhoring(Bokhoring)-7:
    no, mckenzie is being groomed for the position. thats the reason for him resigning as reds coach next season.

  • 10.Superbru: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:46 am

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-2: If they play like they did against Scotland they going down,Welsh are far better than Scots,and Gatland best coach in NH imo.

  • 11.viewer: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:49 am

    @7 maybe. Deans is on a two year extension (and I feel for him), with a British & Irish Lions tour coming up. He’s under pressure, but with the lack of depth could Jake do a significantly better job than Deans?

  • 12.RugbyStudent: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:51 am

    This is going to be a really physical encounter. The Aussie pack looks impressive.

  • 13.willievz: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:54 am

    @ufo(ufo)-3: Still Australia’s best lock!

  • 14.viewer: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:56 am

    @9 True, Ewen is the logical choice. Effectively he’s available from end of this SR season. I hope not but if the Wallabies have a terrible June then I fear Deans could be axed ahead of the 4N

  • 15.ufo: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 10:57 am

    @willievz(willievz)-13:

    indeed…

  • 16.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 11:03 am

    @Superbru(Superbru)-10:
    agreed
    my heart wants wales to win, and my head says they can.

    @viewer(viewer)-14:
    yip.
    or the oz rugby board could force mckenzie on him as an assistant. my gut says he’s on short time.

  • 17.realkenyan: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 11:05 am

    for the last few years aussie backlines have had the likes of Quade Cooper, Beale, JOC, Giteau to provide the creative flair. i would say this is the most unimaginative wallaby backline of recent years with one of the worst flyhalfs in world rugby

  • 18.springbokrugby: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 11:42 am

    How on earth do the powers that be arrange for two test matches within one week?!! Really!

  • 19.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 11:47 am

    @springbokrugby(springbokrugby)-18: And don’t forget the little matter of a Super 15 competition on the previous Saturday: ludicrous !!

  • 20.viewer: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 11:48 am

    Ewen’s been coaching in SR forever, it seems. On the basis that the ARU would probably not appoint two back to back foreign head coaches, then he’s definitely on stand by. Jake White for forwards coach?

  • 21.viewer: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 11:55 am

    Charles, if I’m not mistaken the Reds had a bye last weekend. The selectors could have done a Heyneke for tuesday’s match (pick a virtual Reds XV). Is that too radical?.

  • 22.BULLET: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 13:29 pm

    I’m sensing 2 on the trot here.

  • 23.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 14:44 pm

    Deans taking some risks here against the biggest Welsh side from 1-22 in the history of their game…

    This is the best chance they have of winning a test here for some time despite bookie’s odds…

    - Waratahs front-row starting when the Brumbies were in form…
    - No specialist lock on the bench when Douglas and Pyle are in form and Sitaleki is not injured…
    - Re-treading Dennis when McAlman usually takes that role and Ben Mowen isn’t even in the squad…
    -Dropping Vuna straight into the starting squad (it was the same with Tomane before his last minute injury)…

    Backline considering no Cooper, Mitchell, Turner, James O Connor, Beale is much of a muchness albeit Faingaa can feel hard-done by as he was the only decent player in ‘blizzard-gate’…

    That said in HM’s words it’s definitely a ‘impact’ bench…

    Definite hedge bet there and outside punt…

  • 24.DAS: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 15:24 pm

    Deans win percentage — 57. 57! How this guy got extended beyond RWC is a mystery to me. And he can’t blame lack if depth, many of his selections have been terrible.

  • 25.DAS: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 15:26 pm

    Right now, every time NZ or SA plays the Wallabies they know they’ll have dominance in the forward pack. Until that changes, Aussie will never be the #1 team in the world.

  • 26.sandeno: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 19:50 pm

    Wales 31 – Aus 12

  • 27.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2012, 21:39 pm

    @springbokrugby(springbokrugby)-18:

    It’s called John O’Neill. The devil incarnate.

    I don’t mind him stuffing up Aussie rugby, just leave everyone else alone.

    Someone should waterboard this tool while whispering in his ears that rugby is not a product. It’s a religion.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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