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Mortlock and Smith return to Qantas Wallabies for Italy Test
November 08, 2006 - 6:03pm
Story by: ARU
The Qantas Wallaby selectors have made five changes to the Test team to play Italy in Rome this Saturday, with Stirling Mortlock, George Smith, Brendan Cannon, Guy Shepherdson and Mark Chisholm coming into the starting lineup.
Stephen Larkham has recovered fully from last Saturday's bruising encounter against Wales and will start the match at inside centre.
Mortlock, who has been out of action for more than a month due to an operation to removed a bursa from his knee, will captain the team for the second time.
George Smith and Lote Tuqiri will make their debuts as vice captains.
Mortlock's inclusion at outside centre sees Tuqiri move back to the wing, while last weekend's double try scorer Cameron Shepherd moves back to the bench.
There are four changes to the run-on forward pack, with hooker Brendan Cannon and prop Guy Shepherdson in the starting lineup while Stephen Moore and Nic Henderson have been named on the bench.
Lock Mark Chisholm comes in to fill the place of the injured Daniel Vickerman while George Smith returns to the starting line-up at openside flanker. Stephen Hoiles retains his spot in the reserves while Phil Waugh drops out of the 22 and will be on standby as 23rd man.
Qantas Wallaby coach John Connolly said the team was as close to full strength as possible for the dangerous Italians.
“It was a big blow to lose Daniel Vickerman, but Mark Chisholm has been in good form and deserves his place in the starting lineup.
“Guy Shepherdson and Brendan Cannon also deserve to start. The Italians have competed very well in the Six Nations and they pride themselves on their scrummaging, so it will be a big Test for our pack.
“George Smith and Phil Waugh are both world-class openside flankers, but it is important that Stephen Hoiles gets some Test time off the bench, so Phil will sit this one out after a bruising Test against Wales.
“It is good to have Stirling Mortlock back after his knee operation. He is very keen to get on the paddock after sitting out for the last few weeks.
“Despite what some people think, Italy will be very tough to beat at home. They have shown in the Six Nations that they are capable of beating any team in the world on their day, and we are expecting a stadium full of very passionate Italian fans in Rome on Saturday.”
2006 Spring Tour
Match: Australia v Italy
Venue: Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Date: Saturday 11 November 2006
Kick Off: 3.00pm (1.00am AEDST)
Broadcast times (check local guides)
Live on Fox Sports 2 (nationwide)
Live on Network Ten in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide (75 min delay in Perth at 10:45 WST)
Qantas Wallabies
1 Al Baxter
2 Brendan Cannon
3 Guy Shepherdson
4 Nathan Sharpe
5 Mark Chisholm
6 Rocky Elsom
7 George Smith (vc)
8 Wycliff Palu
9 Matt Giteau
10 Mat Rogers
11 Lote Tuqiri (vc)
12 Stephen Larkham
13 Stirling Mortlock (c)
14 Clyde Rathbone
15 Chris Latham
Reserves
16 Stephen Moore
17 Nic Henderson
18 Alister Campbell
19 Stephen Hoiles
20 Josh Valentine
21 Mark Gerrard
22 Cameron Shepherd
23rd Man - Phil Waugh