0
Bald-headed lock Nathan Sharpe is set to bring some meaning to what is largely a meaningless Rugby World Cup encounter on Friday night by becoming just the fifth Australian to play 100 Tests.
Considering recent history, it might be fraught with danger by announcing it too early, but Sharpe finally appears set to earn the milestone in the third-place play-off against Wales at Eden Park.
Fellow veteran second-rower Dan Vickerman is among four battered Wallabies ruled out of the clash for bronze, opening the way for the 33-year-old to rejoin Australia's 22 after being surprisingly dumped for the 20-6 semi-final loss to the All Blacks.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans still has to pick Sharpe in the starting team ahead of youngster Rob Simmons to guarantee him the honour but the Wallabies are already speaking about the extra boost gained from the "special moment".
"Only five guys have done it so that's an incredible achievement ... and everyone wants to share that with him," said stalwart back Adam Ashley-Cooper, who's played virtually all of his 62 Tests alongside Sharpe.
"To put on the jersey once is enough and to put it on 100 times is amazing. To share it with a really good mate is special.
"There's a lot of motivation there."
Deans has copped it for overlooking Sharpe's huge experience and 118kg frame against the All Blacks, with former Wallabies teammates Brendan Cannon and Matt Giteau among the critics.
Cannon said he was "dumbfounded" by the "illogical" decision to deny the team an extra motivator for the big-stage match where Australia were outmuscled up front.
"It made no sense, I was dumbfounded," he told The West Australian. "He should have played. He would have made a difference."
France-bound Giteau, himself on the wrong end of Deans' selection blade, said the tight, physical battle would have suited Sharpe down to the ground.
"His experience would have been invaluable against New Zealand," he said.
"When you are up against it and things aren't going your way, you need leaders.
"The game was not as open as anticipated and that's where Sharpie would have been good."
Joining Vickerman on the injury list, hooker Stephen Moore (sternum), prop Sekope Kepu (eye) and centre Pat McCabe (shoulder) have also been ruled out while Kurtley Beale (hamstring) might not be risked.
Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper and Berrick Barnes are all in line for rare Cup starts while the likes of under-used reserves Luke Burgess, Rob Horne and Salesi Ma'afu are set to receive more time.
It's ironic Sharpe will join George Gregan (139), George Smith (110), Stephen Larkham (102) and David Campese (101) in Australia's 100-club by playing Wales.
His Welsh heritage had the Wales Rugby Union keen to lure him north before he made his Test debut under Eddie Jones in 2002.
Wales lock Bradley Davies, 24, was such a childhood fan he styled himself on Sharpe's ball-running game.
He's delighted about the prospect of locking horns.
"He's been one of the best locks in the world for long periods," Davies said.
"Some people think the lock is just a lineout forward and has good hands. But he actually carries the ball and works hard."
Supporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
Reply With Quote
