Deans throws off shackles as Wallabies look to end tour in style
Deans throws off shackles as Wallabies look to end tour in style
December 01, 2008 WITH his Australia now a mob of walking wounded after five gruelling Tests in as many weeks, Robbie Deans will hand his tour toilers and emerging stars an opportunity to shine in Wednesday night's clash with the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium.
Deans' initial 34-man touring squad was already down to 31 before he lost at least another three more troops in Saturday's brutal loss to Wales at Millennium Stadium.
Peter Hynes (eye), Stirling Mortlock (concussion) and Nathan Sharpe (broken thumb) will all sit out the tour-ending fixture, while Mark Chisholm (cheekbone), Hugh McMeniman (head knock), Richard Brown (finger) and Quade Cooper (finger) are also battling injury.
Deans said third-string half-back Brett Sheehan and rookie lock Peter Kimlin would both make their first appearances of the tour, while exciting teenager James O'Connor will also be given game time, as will several other fringe players.
"We're obviously looking to blokes who are fresh. Anyone who is fit," Deans said on Sunday.
"When we name the team, we're going to give everyone access essentially. For good reasons; it's been a big stretch. Everyone's worked equally as hard.
"Kimlin will have a jersey on, which he is pretty excited about. Brett will have a jersey on, we'll wait and see what number. James will have a jersey on.
"They've all worked hard. They've been patient to that end. They've all chipped in and done their bit.
John Eales Medallist George Smith is likely to captain the side in a match marking 100 years since Australia won the rugby gold medal at the 1908 London Olympics.
The Wallabies will be up against a world-class, all-star line-up featuring the likes of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, Springboks including John Smit, Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger, Wales' newly-crowned IRB player of the year Shane Williams and former Australian captain George Gregan at half-back.
Deans said the Wallabies were treating the match seriously without stressing over the outcome.
"We're wearing the jersey so to that end it's important. It's important to the individuals," he said.
"But the reality is, it's not a Test match. So the shackles will be off to some extent.
"It's a tricky situation. It's a genuine tricky situation because you're representing your country and you're representing yourself and you're up against a world XV who is uninhibited and probably pretty excited about expressing themselves.
"So it's not easy. But, having said that, it's a great opportunity."
Winger Lote Tuqiri urged the Wallabies to finish their European tour with a bang.
Tuqiri was shattered to have lost 21-18 at Millennium Stadium - a result which denied the Wallabies a rare northern hemisphere sweep of the four Tests - but said there was no point stewing over the defeat.
"It's a bit of an empty feeling," he said.
"But everyone says it was the last game but we've still got one more game to go on Wednesday and hopefully we can finish the tour off well in that sense."
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
