Wallabies make changes

by Michelle Fortune , 23 August 2011

Australia coach Robbie Deans has made a number of changes to his side for Saturday's Tri-Nations decider against New Zealand in Brisbane.


Centre Anthony Fainga'a and forwards Dan Vickerman and Radike Samo have been recalled to the Wallabies starting XV as they look for their first victory over the All Blacks in Brisbane for 19 years.

Fainga'a's inclusion means Adam Ashley-Cooper will move to the wing where he will take over from the suspended James O'Connor, while James Horwill will skipper the side for the first time after being promoted to captain for next month's World Cup.

Quade Cooper will take over kicking duties for the Bledisloe Cup clash, although the Wallabies can no longer win the trophy after losing to New Zealand las time.

"The group showed a lot of character to bounce back in South Africa but no one in our party is getting ahead of themselves," Deans said in a statement.

"The All Blacks are not the bench mark in world rugby without good reason. They give you nothing and pounce on any opportunities that you give them. To beat them, we will need to be disciplined, accurate, composed but, most of all, deserving."

Australia (XV v New Zealand): K Beale; A Ashley-Cooper, A Fainga'a, P McCabe, D Ioane; Q Cooper, W Genia; S Kepu, S Moore, B Alexander, D Vickerman, J Horwill, R Elsom, D Pocock, R Samo.

Replacements: S Fainga'a, S Ma'afu, R Simmons, B McCalman, S Higginbotham, L Burgess, TBA.

Don’t forget – All 48 Rugby World Cup games live on Setanta (including the 35 games RTE don’t have

Broadcasters
E-Newsletter
Live Football on Setanta
16/06/2012 23:00
17/06/2012 21:00
22/06/2012 01:00
24/06/2012 01:00
All Times GMT
Rugby
01/06/2012 09:30
02/06/2012 07:30
02/06/2012 09:30
02/06/2012 16:45
03/06/2012 09:00
04/06/2012 09:00
04/06/2012 11:45
07/06/2012 18:00
All Times GMT
Other
03/06/2012 11:45
All Times GMT

Setanta Africa broadcasts exclusive live coverage of the Dutch League, Scottish Premier League, MLS, Copa Del Rey, Copa Libertadores, delayed English Premier League from Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham TV, delayed Serie A from the Milan Channel as well as magazine shows.

Edit Web Part Contents