Lucas picked for Australia A

[travelling_gerry]

Lucas picked for Australia A

June 25, 2008 - 1:58PM

Queensland rookie Ben Lucas returns from injury with a Wallabies Tri-Nations squad berth looming as a reward for a strong Australia A display against Fiji.
The multi-skilled Lucas has been selected for his first start at halfback in the Pacific Nations Cup on Sunday at Ballymore in a side that features 12 capped Wallabies.
Lucas is one of three starting changes as coach Phil Mooney has retained the same pack which demolished Tonga 90-7 in Sydney and also kept league convert Timana Tahu at inside centre.
World Cup Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell will start at fullback after returning with two tries off the bench against the Tongans, while Daniel Halangahu has rotated with Sam Norton-Knight to start at five-eighth.
Wallabies selectors will closely watch Lucas go head to head with veteran Fiji halfback Moses Rauluni who was a star of the islanders' charge into the World Cup quarter-finals last year.
The Reds youngster was in the mix for Wallabies selection against Ireland and France after an eye-catching debut season in the Super 14.
He exceeded all expectations in covering for veteran Sam Cordingley at No.9 after making a successful and quick conversion from five-eighth during the pre-season.
Test selectors opted to start with in-form Waratah Luke Burgess and give the 20-year-old an international apprenticeship in the Pacific Nations Cup.
But a knee injury in the tournament opener against Japan has kept him sidelined for a fortnight and allowed opportunities to Josh Holmes, Patrick Phibbs and Brett Sheehan.
Mooney admitted Lucas's setback threw a spanner in the works but believed he was still in contention.
"If he plays well, like anyone it enhances his prospects," the Queensland and A-team coach said.
"Ben had a very good season for the Reds."
Brisbane product Rauluni is looking forward to the clash after watching Queensland's Super 14 matches from London where he plays under Eddie Jones for Saracens.
"He played well against NSW and it's going to be a good tough battle," Rauluni said.
Mooney is braced for a much tougher match than Sunday's rout at North Sydney with third-placed Fiji drawing 14-all against the A-team in Suva last year and just losing 11-7 to NZ Maori.
An Australian win at Ballymore will set up a virtual final-round decider against the Maori in Sydney with the A's possibly being boosted with under-20s David Pocock, Quade Cooper and Rob Horne.
"We were very good in attack last week, but I'm expecting Fiji to be a lot tighter defensively and make us really earn our points," Mooney said.
NSW utility back Matt Carraro remains with the squad on standby for Mark Gerrard who is returning from a shoulder problem.
Australia A: Drew Mitchell, Lachlan Turner, Morgan Turinui, Timana Tahu, Digby Ioane, Daniel Halangahu, Ben Lucas; Stephen Hoiles, Richard Brown, Hugh McMeniman, Peter Kimlin, Mark Chisholm, Sekope Kepu, Sean Hardman, Ben Alexander. Res: John Ulugia, Guy Shepherdson, Van Humphries, Julian Salvi, Brett Sheehan, Sam Norton-Knight, Mark Gerrard.
AAP


http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...073313247.html

[laura]

Does this mean Matt Hodgson and Pek Cowan aren't in the team anymore or just not selected this week?

[force addict]

Matt Hodgson is on a break me thinks

[GIGS20]

I was going to suggest that finally some sense had prevailed in selection of this team

Then I saw this

while Daniel Halangahu has rotated with Sam Norton-Knight to start at five-eighth.

At least there are good reasons why Drew starts at Fullback, Neither Lachie or Digby would cover the spot well....I think this will have absolutely no bearing on Drew's position for the Wallabies, he's an obviously much better winger.

Wonder who'll do the kicking though!