Wounded Wallabies brace for Pumas
4 Oct 2012
Australia have made five changes for their Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Rosario.
Mike Harris and Nick Cummins replace the injured Berrick Barnes and Dominic Shipperley (who is relegated to the bench) at fullback and right wing respectively, Ben Tapuai comes in for the injured Adam Ashley-Cooper at outside centre, while James Slipper starts at loosehead prop, with Benn Robinson moving to the bench.
‘We know that the Pumas will be coming straight at us, and will be looking to profit in the collision in the same way that the Springboks did last week,’ said Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. ‘We’ve addressed that, both internally in our discussions, but also with our selection, where we have gone for the players we feel are best suited to that approach.’
Wallabies – 15 Mike Harris, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Sitaleki Timani, 5 Nathan Sharpe (capt), 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Dave Dennis, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Brett Sheehan, 22 Dominic Shipperley.

10 Comments
4 Oct 2012, 14:50 pm
Wounded Wobly Dragons!
4 Oct 2012, 14:51 pm
Pumas might get their first RC win thanks to the boks.
4 Oct 2012, 15:22 pm
Money’s on the Argies.
Very depleted Aussie team.
Monday might find Dingo Deans checking the classifieds.
4 Oct 2012, 16:38 pm
Cannot believe Higginbotham cant make the run on side for the Ausies.
I mean fk, Timani at 6?!
4 Oct 2012, 19:39 pm
#4, Totally agree with you. Higgie-baby is their best loosie and he cant make the team. Go figure.
4 Oct 2012, 21:28 pm
Higginbotham is class.
Don’t underestimate this Wallabies side. They have selected some monsters in the forward pack and Kurtley Beale at 10 could cause the Pumas some real problems.
4 Oct 2012, 23:44 pm
Personally I think Deans could be making some better selections. Jesse Mogg had a great Super 15 and so did Ben Mowan. Cummins in my opinion is pretty average and way overrated. That having been said I still think they will beat the Pumas by a few points.
5 Oct 2012, 00:08 am
@goodstuff-2: Wobblies were stuffed well before they faced the Boks last weekend. They now have only 3 or 4 players that would make their starting side if injuries were not a factor. Being on your 4th choice captain also wouldn’t help.
5 Oct 2012, 08:04 am
do it pumas
do it
5 Oct 2012, 09:39 am
I like the look of this team. Massive forward pack and with Cummins and Tapuai on the field some real option for Beale, This could the start of something big, Harris with his boot is a real sharp shooter, Hooper is a great fetcher as well
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