Hoiles set to fix backline dramas
Hoiles set to fix backline dramas
From Jim Morton in Bordeaux, France
September 29, 2007
AUSTRALIA backrower Stephen Hoiles will be thrown into the wounded Wallabies backline in the Rugby World Cup World Pool B match against Canada in Bordeaux tonight.
Hoiles will start on the bench but he is likely to be used at inside centre in the second half as Australia attempts to keep its gun backs out of harm's way.
The dynamic Brumbies forward is primarily a No.8, but he can play all three positions in the back row - and his flexibility is such that Australia coach John Connolly will have no problems pulling a left-field substitution and using Hoiles in the midfield instead of Matt Giteau.
Giteau, in top form after three consecutive pool starts, is only listed as a reserve due to being the last fit back in the squad.
Connolly said he was loath to risk the livewire centre, who turns 25 on match day, ahead of the quarter-final in Marseille next Saturday. "It would be a last resort to get Giteau on to the field," he said. "We would like him to have a week where we're able to take a different route into next week's game with training and getting ready mentally, but we've involved him in this game."
Full back Chris Latham is also set to get a rest, triggering a likely backline reshuffle with Cameron Shepherd moving from the wing, centres Lote Tuqiri and Adam Ashley-Cooper shifting one position wider and Hoiles going to inside centre.
"How long Chris Latham stays on the field will depend on the game as well," Connolly said. "We would like to get him off so we'll play that by ear during the game. "We could put Hoiles in the centres. Hoiles is virtually our back-up back for us. "We've got the back-up of Giteau there if things go pear-shaped."
Hoiles' pace and flexibility was on show a fortnight ago when he lined up on the wing late in the 32-20 win over Wales.
Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock, one of three walking wounded, meanwhile has been declared 100 per cent fit to return for the quarter-finals. Mortlock put his injured shoulder to the test without any problem in Bordeaux today.
The outside centre, injured against Wales, gave the joint a rugged workout in a some heavy tackling drills, and team medics said he was certain to play in Marseille next weekend.
AAP
