Australia face Samoa in a test match on Sunday afternoon (Sunday morning SA time) in what can only be described a warm up for the Tri Nations that kicks off later this month, and the team that has been announced is certainly a B team.
The team will be captained by Rocky Elsom which comes as a surprise after the big flanker has hardly played any rugby over the last few months. Four players will make their debuts this weekend, being Nick Phipps, Sitaleki Timani, James Hanson and Beau Robinson. Hanson and Robinson will play from the bench, while Pat McCabe gets his first start in the Australian jersey, playing inside centre.
Considering that the Reds players only joined the squad on Monday, it is surprising to note that the only player really rested is Quade Cooper, with Digby Ioane starting the match and Will Genia on the bench along with James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham and Beau Robinson.
Dan Vickerman also makes a return to International rugby and will take his spot on the bench in an attempt to prove to the selectors that he is still good enough to play for the Wallabies.
Kick off is 06h00 South African time on Sunday morning.
Australia: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 TBC, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Will Genia, 22 Kurtley Beale.
Date: Sunday, July 17
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Aus fielding a b-team?
Aren’t they concerned that this will have a negative effect on ticket sales?
this is not a sanzar sanctioned friendly hence the b-team look of the squad.
Will give them chance to build dept
@McLovin (Comment 1) :
@Mutley (Comment 3) : The words “depth” and “Australia” just don’t go together mate as it will effect ticket sales if they explore their “depth”.
