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WALLABY STARS INJECTED INTO AUSTRALIA A LINE-UP FOR JUNIOR ALL BLACKS CLASH
Selectors have today named the Australia A team for this Saturday’s highly-anticipated iRB Pacific Nations Cup showdown with the Junior All Blacks at Carisbrook Park in Dunedin.
There are a total of nine changes to the starting line-up which defeated Japan 71-10 last Saturday in Townsville, including the introduction of Waratahs and Wallabies fly-half Sam Norton-Knight.
Reds utility back Clinton Schifcofske has been ruled out of this weekend’s Australia A line-up through injury.
“Clinton has been traveling with a calf strain and it has not improved,” said Laurie Fisher today.
“That means Lachie Turner (Waratahs) will come onto the bench,” he said.
The Australia A squad also welcomes into the starting line-up Reds and Wallabies prop Rodney Blake, who has recovered after ankle surgery and Reds and Wallabies lock/flanker Hugh McMeniman, also back from injury.
Try scorer for the Wallabies in his debut Test against Wales, Digby Ioane has been named on the wing.
He will be partnered on the wing by Western Force teammate, Cameron Shepherd who also returns from the Wallabies squad.
“With Digby and Cameron in the line-up we will have no shortage of pace out wide, and with Rodney and Hugh back on the paddock there is no shortage of grunt up front,” Laurie Fisher added.
Both Australia A and the Junior All Blacks are unbeaten in the Pacific Nations Cup Series to date.
The Australia A team is:
1. Nic Henderson
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Rodney Blake
4. Alister Campbell (c)
5. James Horwill
6. Hugh McMeniman
7. Julian Salvi
8. David Lyons
9. Josh Holmes
10. Sam Norton-Knight
11. Digby Ioane
12. Ryan Cross
13. Junior Pelesasa
14. Cameron Shepherd
15. Peter Hewat
Reserves:
16. Sean Hardman
17. Troy Takiari
18. Dean Mumm
19. Jone Tawake
20. Josh Valentine
21. Gene Fairbanks
22. Lachlan Turner
Head Coach: Laurie Fisher
Kick-off for the match is 2.30pm Local Time.
The Match will be televised on ABC2 from 5.30pm AEST.
With a set top box can see the game on ABC2 at 5:30pm in Perth
With Foxtel can see the game at 3:30pm in Perth