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Wallabies make two changes
12/09/2007 9:36:16 PM
Sportal
The Australian Wallabies have made two changes to their starting lineup for Saturday’s crucial Pool B clash with Wales at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium.
Drew Mitchell, who bagged a brace of tries in the Wallabies opening 91-3 rout of Japan, has been elevated to the left wing.
Mitchell's inclusion comes at the expense of Adam Ashley-Cooper, who hyper-extended his toe late in the Wallabies 88-point victory in Lyon.
Ashley-Cooper will be given until Friday to prove his fitness and has been bracketed alongside Julian Huxley for the final place on the reserves bench.
The other change to the Wallabies starting XV comes in the forward pack, with Al Baxter making way for Guy Shepherdson, who returns to tighthead prop.
Coach John Connolly has reverted to a 5-2 split on his reserves bench, selecting five reserve forwards and only two replacement backs.
Flanker Phil Waugh is the major beneficiary of the move, returning to the bench after missing out on selection for last week's clash with Japan.
Utility back Scott Staniforth has been called onto the reserves bench to cover a number of backline positions, while Mark Chisholm is in line to make his Rugby World Cup debut after claiming the reserve lock's jersey.
The winner of Saturday's clash is likely to top Group B, where they will probably face the loser between England and South Africa in the next round, with Connolly saying the Wallabies had been building towards such a high-stake match throughout the year.
"This is a crucial game as far as our Pool is concerned and a lot of what we have done over the past twelve months has been preparing us for this game," said Connolly.
"Playing in front of a packed Millenium Stadium in a World Cup will be an unforgettable experience for the players. It's something they will treasure for the rest of their lives," he said.
Australia
1. Matt Dunning
2. Stephen Moore
3. Guy Shepherdson
4. Nathan Sharpe
5. Dan Vickerman
6. Rocky Elsom
7. George Smith (vc)
8. Wycliff Palu
9. George Gregan (vc)
10. Stephen Larkham
11. Lote Tuqiri
12. Matt Giteau
13. Stirling Mortlock (c)
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Chris Latham
16. Adam Freier
17. Al Baxter
18. Mark Chisholm
19. Stephen Hoiles
20. Phil Waugh
21. Scott Staniforth
22. Julian Huxley/Adam Ashley-Cooper.
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/r...-changes-35469
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