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November 14, 2006 - 5:35am
Story by: ARU
Al Campbell will lead Australia A against a strong Ireland A in Limerick on Wednesday night
Australia A will be out to avenge their shock loss to Ospreys in Swansea a fortnight ago when they meet a strong Ireland A lineup in Limerick on Wednesday night (Thursday am AEDST).
Brumbies lock Al Campbell will again captain the team, after leading Australia A to a two-match series whitewash over Fiji in July.
Mark Gerrard retains his place at flyhalf and will be well supported by Scott Staniforth at inside centre.
Staniforth, who played most of the Super 14 season at inside centre for the Western Force, has been moved closer to the action for Wednesday's game after starting on the wing against the Ospreys two weeks ago.
In another positional switch, Waratahs centre Morgan Turinui returns to his regular post at outside centre and has also been named vice captain of the team.
New Western Force recruit Drew Mitchell will see his first action of the tour since recovering from the fractured jaw he suffered during the Wallabies' Coffs Harbour training camp prior to the tour.
Mitchell will start on the left wing, while Brumbies utility Adam Ashley-Cooper will occupy the right wing.
In the forwards, Western Force number 8 Scott Fava, who joined the squad on Friday after receiving a late call up for the injured Hugh McMeniman, will play in the unfamiliar role of blindside flanker.
Al Campbell, flanker George Smith and winger Clyde Rathbone will each back up after taking part in the Wallabies' 7-point victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Wallaby Defence Coach John Muggleton will coach the side, with the match to kick off at 7.30pm local time on Wednesday night (15 November).
Qantas Wallabies Coach John Connolly said there are still Test positions up for grabs over the next fortnight, providing extra incentive for Australia A players to perform well on Wednesday night.
“We are looking at a couple of positions in the Test team and there are a number of players in this Australia A team that can put themselves in the reckoning for the final two Tests with a good performance on Wednesday,” said Connolly.
“We are looking closely at some changes to the backline for the Ireland test and we will be watching the performances of the outside backs with plenty of interest on Wednesday night,” he added.
Connolly is also looking forward to seeing Mark Gerrard's second full match at flyhalf.
“I think (Gerrard) will be much more equipped to handle the role this time around,” said Connolly.
“He will have a more specific game plan and will get good support from his outside men in Scott Staniforth and Morgan Turinui, who are both experienced players in the midfield,” he said.
Australia A will depart for Limerick by coach tomorrow morning (Tues pm Australian time).
Australia A v Ireland A
Wednesday 15 November 2006
Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick off: 7.30pm (GMT) 6.30am (Thu 16 Nov AEDST)
Australia A:
1. Benn Robinson
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Rodney Blake
4. Al Campbell (c)
5. James Horwill
6. Scott Fava
7. Stephen Hoiles
8. David Lyons
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Mark Gerrard
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Scott Staniforth
13.Morgan Turinui (vc)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Cameron Shepherd
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Nic Henderson
18. Mitchell Chapman
19. George Smith
20. Josh Valentine
21. Gene Fairbanks
22. Clyde Rathbone
Coach: John Muggleton
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
I don;t get these headlines sometimes - whats a Welsh provincial side got to do with another nations "A" side? Where does the "Avenge" come into it?
With Drew at 11, Digby nust be a little worried about next year?
5 Force boys in the run on side - should be a good game![]()
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Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
He would have to be cause Staniforth will most likely be back on wing with Giteau in at 12 and Cross
has not played Rugby for years, Spanner was EWF player of the year for 2005 and one of the competition's leading try-scorers. Without belittling Ryan Cross at all, he currently is not the favourite to commence the season in the Force 1st XV.Originally Posted by main game
So, much more interesting (for now) is why Shephard can pull off two tries against Wales and Rathbone blunders his way around the park, yet his selection continues to be at the expense of Shephard (nice to see him back in the No. 15 jumper for Australia A though)...
Ireland 'A', including a few of our Ulstermen.
1 - Ronan McCormack (UCD/Leinster)
2 - John Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht)
3 - Simon Best (Capt) (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
4 - Matt McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster)
5 - Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster)
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Keith Gleeson (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster
15 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
14 - John Kelly (Cork Constitution/Munster)
13 - Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)
12 - Kieran Lewis (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
11 - Denis Hickie (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
10 - Jeremy Staunton (Wasps)
9 - Eoin Reddan (Wasps)
Replacements:
16 - Brian Blaney (Terenure College/Leinster)
17 - Ray Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht)
18 - Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 – Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
20 - Cillian Willis (Blackrock College/Leinster)
21 - Mark McHugh (Galwegians/Connacht)
22 - Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
I understand that Hickie has been called up to the Test Squad as cover for Trimble and is replaced in the A squad by Robert Kearney, also of Leinster.
YES!!!! Finally see Stanners have a crack in front of Knuckles!
Re. Cross, yeah I agree, I don't think he will "walk into" the #13 jersey, apart from above I reckon that Junior may have a say in the outcome as well!
We are in for a great year for the backs at the Force and I'm tipping a few ego's may be in for a bit of panel beating by the end of it too!
F-t, I recognise a few of the names there, how many would have a few Test Caps up?
Should be a cracker of a match and hopefully some kindly chap will have recorded it me to watch one day?!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
I can't find it being televised on Pay or Free TV in AUstralia??
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
On the money! We should be selectorsOriginally Posted by blindsid3
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the punters friend..... stick with me and you will be wearing
Not sure I have the full picture for the non-Ulster boys but here's a go Burgs, international caps in [square brackets]:
1 - Ronan McCormack (UCD/Leinster)
2 - John Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht)
3 - Simon Best (Capt) (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) [12]
4 - Matt McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster) [4]
5 - Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster) [2]
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Keith Gleeson (St.Mary’s College/Leinster) [24]
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster
15 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
14 - John Kelly (Cork Constitution/Munster) [17]
13 - Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)
12 - Kieran Lewis (St.Mary’s College/Leinster) [1]
11 - Denis Hickie (St.Mary’s College/Leinster) [51]
10 - Jeremy Staunton (Wasps) [3]
9 - Eoin Reddan (Wasps) [1]
Replacements:
16 - Brian Blaney (Terenure College/Leinster)
17 - Ray Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht)
18 - Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster) [5]
19 – Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
20 - Cillian Willis (Blackrock College/Leinster)
21 - Mark McHugh (Galwegians/Connacht)
22 - Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Thanks F-t, returned the favour with the Australian XV:
Australia A:
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood, Waratahs) [1]
2. Tai McIsaac (Wests-Subiaco, Force) [7]
3. Rodney Blake (Sunnybank, Reds) [7]
4. Al Campbell (c) (Sydney University, Brumbies) [2]
5. James Horwill (University of Queensland, Reds) [-]
6. Scott Fava (Associates, Force) [5]
7. Stephen Hoiles (Randwick, Waratahs/Brumbies) [3]
8. David Lyons (Sydney University, Waratahs) [40]
9. Brett Sheehan (Warringah, Waratahs) [1]
10. Mark Gerrard (Warringah, Brumbies) [16]
11. Drew Mitchell (University of Queensland/?, Reds/Force) [10]
12. Scott Staniforth (Nedlands, Force) [4]
13.Morgan Turinui (vc) (Randwick, Waratahs) [20]
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Norths, Brumbies) [1]
15. Cameron Shepherd (Perth-Bayswater, Force) [5]
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta, Waratahs) [2]
17. Nic Henderson (Canberra, Brumbies) [3]
18. Mitchell Chapman (University of Queensland, Reds) [-]
19. George Smith (Manly, Brumbies) [70]
20. Josh Valentine (University of Queensland/?, Reds/Waratahs) [2]
21. Gene Fairbanks (Easts, Brumbies) [-]
22. Clyde Rathbone (Royals, Brumbies) [25]
Coach: John Muggleton
Last edited by Burgs; 14-11-06 at 22:21.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.