0
Home soil dream for Staniforth
Bret Harris
June 05, 2007
WALLABIES utility back Scott Staniforth is poised to fulfil his long-held ambition to play a Test on Australian soil, against Fiji in Perth on Saturday, in his preferred inside centre position.
Staniforth has earned six caps since making his Test debut against the United States in the 1999 World Cup match in Limerick, Ireland, but they have all been played overseas.
Staniforth, who was on the reserves bench for the Wallabies' 29-23 win against Wales in Sydney two weeks ago, was not in the 22-man squad for Australia's 31-0 win against Wales in Brisbane last Saturday.
But Staniforth will finally play a Test at home in Perth, where he has played with Western Force in the Super 14 for the past two years.
"I'm hoping to get a run on Saturday," Staniforth said yesterday. "I still haven't played a Test in Australia.
"I didn't get on in the first (Test) against Wales in Sydney. When you've only got two backs on the bench you can't throw them both out too early.
"I wasn't in the 22 for the second Test. I mustn't have warmed up too well.
"A few blokes got an opportunity last weekend. With our squad mentality everyone will get a run this weekend.
"It will be great if I do get an opportunity. I'll put mum and dad on a flight (from Sydney)."
Coach John Connolly has all but ended the experiment of playing Matt Giteau at halfback following veteran George Gregan's strong performance off the bench in the second half against Wales.
The Wallabies will revert to the old firm of Gregan, five-eighth Stephen Larkham, Giteau and outside centre Stirling Mortlock for the Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday week. But the Wallabies still need to find out who are the best back-ups at five-eighth and inside centre.
With Giteau and Mortlock set to be rested against Fiji, Staniforth and Adam Ashley-Cooper are expected to form a new midfield combination.
Ashley-Cooper played inside centre in the two Tests against Wales, but appears better suited to being a ball-running outside back. Staniforth, who played inside centre in the Wallabies' win against Scotland in the last Test of their European tour in November, will be given an opportunity to remind the selectors he is an option for the No.12 jersey.
"I'm not sure where I'm playing yet," Staniforth said. "I've trained a lot at 12 and a bit on the wing as well.
"With Gits (Giteau) resting this weekend, if I'm not playing 12, I'll be covering 12.
"I enjoy playing both positions, but on the wing sometimes you get limited opportunities whereas at 12 you are always in the game."
Lote Tuqiri will return to the Wallabies to play against the country of his birth after missing the Welsh series to concentrate on speed training.
Tuqiri is expected to replace right winger Digby Ioane and form a back three with fullback Julian Huxley and left winger Drew Mitchell.
Larkham, who missed the first Welsh Test with a hamstring strain, is likely to start against Fiji with Sam Norton-Knight recalled to the squad as his back-up.
It would not surprise to see forwards Nathan Sharpe and Rocky Elsom rested from the Fijian Test.
In the forwards, prop Al Baxter, second-rower James Horwill, number eight David Lyons and blindside flanker Hugh McMeniman, if fit, are set to come into the 22-man squad.
Tuqiri is determined to cut loose in his Wallabies return.
Still to sign his multi-million-dollar contract, Tuqiri yesterday said he couldn't wait for his first Test of the year, nor his return to team training today.
"Let me out of the cage," Tuqiri said. "I'm just keen to get back into footy, get my hands on the footy again and training together with the boys.
"I hope I can start my Test campaign with a few meat pies come Saturday."
Additional reporting: AAP