Force and Brumbies fringe players have a chance to impress

Bret Harris | May 16, 2008
THE match between Western Force and Brumbies in Perth tonight may be meaningless in terms of the Super 14 play-offs, but it will still be an important trial for Wallabies selection.

Both teams have several players in contention for the 30-man squad for the home Test series, to be announced on June 2.

There will be several important head-to-head clashes that will help determine which players make the cut for the 22-man squad to play Ireland in the opening Test of the year in Melbourne on June 14.

The most fascinating personal duel will be between rival fullbacks Mark Gerrard (Brumbies) and Cameron Shepherd (Force).

With Chris Latham's Test career over because of a torn pectoral muscle, Gerrard and Shepherd are frontrunners to wear the gold No15 jersey against Ireland.

Gerrard is favourite because of his superior ball-handling skills.

At the Crusaders, new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans uses three ball distributors at five-eighth, inside centre and fullback.

With Lote Tuqiri expected to secure one wing spot, the other flank is up for grabs.

The match-up between wingers Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies) and Drew Mitchell (Force) could also have a big bearing on Test selection - if Mitchell plays. He is in grave doubt with an ankle injury he sustained at training yesterday.

Mitchell stole a march on Ashley-Cooper while he was sidelined with injury in the first half of the season, but the Brumbies utility has been in dynamic form since returning.

Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock is indisputably Australia's premier outside centre, but it is a pity Force No13 Ryan Cross is sidelined with a cheekbone injury.

Cross is expected to figure in the Australia A program and will almost certainly tour Hong Kong and Europe with the Wallabies at the end of the year. Surely he has at least earnt a place in the 30 man squad?

Force utility back Scott Staniforth, who is also injured, should find a place in the 30-man Wallabies squad. Nice

There has been talk about switching Mortlock to inside centre, but if Deans uses the New Zealand model of first and second five-eighths, then Queenslander Berrick Barnes is likely to wear the No12 jersey.

But rookie Force inside centre James O'Connor, a future Wallaby, is certain to play for Australia A this year. Great news- I thought he might be overlooked due to age

The skilful O'Connor's match-up with aggressive Brumbies inside centre Tyrone Smith will be a contrast of styles.

Force five-eighth Matt Giteau is certain to play in the No10 jersey for the Wallabies.

But his young Brumbies counterpart Christian Lealifano will undergo a shoulder operation at the end of the Super 14 season, putting him further behind Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper.

Waratahs number eight Wycliff Palu is favoured to start against Ireland, but Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies) and Richard Brown (Force) will be competing to be his back-up.

Hoiles is a highly skilled backrower, while Brown is hard-nosed and aggressive. Given George Smith is less aggressive than Waugh I'm hoping we have a backrow of Brown/Smith/Palu for a nice all round feel

There will be a master versus apprentice style clash when veteran Brumbies openside flanker George Smith takes on the precocious David Pocock.

Smith is expected to win his long-running battle with Waratahs flanker Phil Waugh for the No7 jersey, but many observers believe Pocock has the potential to overtake both of them.

Pocock will probably spend some time with Australia A before getting a run with the Wallabies later in the year.

Force captain Nathan Sharpe and Brumbies second-rower Mark Chisholm will be among the top four locks along with Dan Vickerman (Waratahs) and James Horwill (Reds).

Horwill is believed to be exerting pressure to break up the long-standing Sharpe-Vickerman combination, but the experienced duo is expected to start against Ireland.

Brumbies tighthead prop Guy Shepherdson is struggling to hold his place in the squad, but his understudy Salesi Ma'afu is only an outside chance.

Force loosehead prop Pek Cowan is also regarded as a Test player of the future. He should get some quality time in Australia A

You can't complain too much about whats said here. Its good to see that the Force will get a bit of a better look in than under JC. Who should be the Wallabies tight-head though?