Pek Cowan to Debut for Wallabies v Italy

[Burgs]

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has announced a radically experimental team for Australia's second Test against Italy in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Deans has named eight new faces in the starting side - with captain Stirling Mortlock and star five-eighth Matt Giteau among those rested - and also made three positional switches.

Centres Ryan Cross and Quade Cooper, winger Peter Hynes, flankers David Pocock and Peter Kimlin and the front row of Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Pek Cowan are the new faces from the team which beat Italy 31-8 in the first Test last Saturday.

Berrick Barnes has been switched to five-eighth, George Smith to No.8 and Dean Mumm to lock.

Smith will captain the side for the third time in Mortlock's absence.

Regular starters Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe and Giteau have been named on the bench, along with veteran breakaway Phil Waugh who will play his first game for Australia in 2009.

Teenage sensation James O'Connor has retained the fullback's jersey with Adam Ashley-Cooper among the reserves.

Of Australia's 30-man squad, only Lote Tuqiri, Timana Tahu and the injured Rocky Elsom have not been named to start or as a reserve in any of the Wallabies' three games so far this year.

"We believe in the whole group, that is why we selected them, Deans said.

"This week is about our growth as a group. We've got potentially 14 Test matches to play this year, as well as the Barbarians game we've already had.

"Not only would it be unrealistic to focus that entire workload on the same players, a policy like that would also deny us the opportunity to develop others.''

Wallabies team

1. Pekahou Cowan (Western Force)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
5. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
6. Peter Kimlin (Brumbies)
7. David Pocock (Western Force)
8. George Smith (Brumbies) (C)

9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
10. Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
11. Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds)
12. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
13. Ryan Cross (Western Force)
14. Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)
15. James O'Connor (Western Force)

16. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
17. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
18. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
19. Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs)
20. Josh Valentine (Western Force)
21. Matt Giteau (Western Force)
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)

AAP

[Swee_82]

Great News. Those headed for (or already in) Melbourne- make some noise for Pek (and the rest of the lads) for us!

[The EnForcer]

You've got to give Dean's credit for that side...he's got balls!

[Burgs]

O'Connor to pick up another two tries, this time off Crossy.

Well done Pek, a deserved reward for a solid year

[mudskipper]

I like to challenge he's throwing to the younger lads... nice one Deans... and save some for the Frenchmen as the "Caveman cometh...."

[shasta]

O'Connor to pick up another two tries, this time off Crossy.

Well done Pek, a deserved reward for a solid year

Ditto Pek. Wonder if a part of Deans' thinking is still toying with Barnes at 10 and Giteau at 12?

Anyone heard how Hodgo's shoulder is coming along?

[force addict]

go pek!! enjoy your debut
wow so many experienced players resting or on the bench

[Sheikh]

Unsure about Cooper at 12 - he didn't impress me overly last week. Mind you, if the backs are struggling at half-time, what price Crossy re-organising the lads so that JO'C's at 12 and Cooper's at 15?

[prop53]

Great news for Pec

[Mr B.Bear]

I like the approach Deans is taking...hear often about depth, now is the time to build depth into our squad and give the guys game time.

Well done Pek! All the best.

[JediKnight]

It's what he did for years at the Crusaders....nurturing talent wherever possible so that everyone can step up to the challenge in the must-win matches. Remember RWC07 when the Wallabies faltered as soon as a couple of first-choice players were injured. Strength in depth is the key.

How funny is it that both Lote & Tahu are still languishing in NSW club rugby whilst the rest of the squad get a run?!?!?! What about Phil Waugh? Is he not included at all, anymore?

[Thequeerone]

Go Pek - will be checking out the odds for a try on debut

Anyone else thinking of 2011 squad - this team is young enough to make it

[Sheikh]

Waugh's at 19. Probably because Hodgo's injured.

[blueandblack]

onya Pek!

[sandgroperrugby]

Forgive me but this Pococks first starting line-up isnt it? I believe he has come off the bench for every other game yeah?

Good on all the young players (Force especially) can’t wait to watch the young guys have a great game to build depth for our 2011 campaign.