Wallabies Cook Up 2-minute Back Line
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday May 17, 2007
A NEW-look Wallabies back line, with three newcomers who boast just two minutes of Test experience between them, will be unveiled against Wales in Sydney on May 26.
Julian Huxley is in line to play his first Test at fullback, Digby Ioane is set to make his Test debut on the wing, and Adam Ashley-Cooper, the most unexpected of last-minute replacements against the Springboks in Perth two seasons ago, is scheduled to be the new inside-centre.The big casualty is expected to be Lote Tuqiri, a long-time automatic Test wing selection, with Wallabies sources last night saying he was likely to be "rested" for the first Wales Test.The push for NSW speedster Lachlan Turner to be elevated to Test status has also stalled, with the selectors instead showing greater interest in Ioane and Scott Staniforth as the wingers for the Wales international. Turner instead is a certainty for the Australia A back line, which will start its Pacific Nations Cup campaign against Tonga in Sydney on Friday week.With the injured Cameron Shepherd unlikely to be available for next week's Test, the fullback spot has become a battle between Huxley and Mark Gerrard. But it appears the Wallabies selectors prefer Huxley.The wing spot has become open, with Tuqiri suddenly finding himself out of favour with the selectors. It is believed they are concerned about Tuqiri's drop in pace, his failure to score tries, and believe he needs to be rested for the Tri Nations. But it is also known that Wallabies officials were annoyed by an incident where Tuqiri had a telephone conversation with selector Michael O'Connor with the loudspeaker setting on. NSW teammate Peter Hewat overheard the call in which O'Connor was critical of his playing skills.The selectors are also eager to experiment with Ioane, believing his pace and unpredictability will be an asset for the Wallabies. Although Turner provides similar assets, he is not expected to be Ioane's partner.And when, as expected, Ashley-Cooper is handed the No.12 jersey next week, it will involve a less-hectic preparation than his first Test appearance.After an unexpected SOS call from Wallabies coach Eddie Jones in 2005, Ashley-Cooper was wandering along the Subiaco Oval sideline in his street clothes, delighted that as an unwanted back-up for the Test squad he would get a good view of the Tri Nations international.Then, just minutes before kick-off, Ashley-Cooper was summoned to the Wallabies' dressing room, told to quickly get his playing gear on because he was now on the bench, as Elton Flatley had experienced blurred vision during the warm-up. With two minutes left in the international, Ashley-Cooper became Australia's 800th Test player when he replaced centre Clyde Rathbone. That night he had to borrow team official Scott Wisemantel's Wallabies blazer when presented with his first Test cap.In the forwards, as long as second-rower Dan Vickerman can survive a club appearance for Sydney University against Eastwood on Saturday, he will be included in the 22-man Test squad.Last weekend Vickerman played his first game in six months after suffering an extensive shoulder injury that saw him miss all the Super 14. He appeared as a replacement for the Students and felt he "went all right" after 30 minutes' play."The first hit-out is always going to be a bit rusty," Vickerman said yesterday. "But I was happy with my fitness, and I am far stronger in the shoulder than I have been before. It is better now than it has been for quite a while. I am now confident that my shoulder is as good as it was before I got injured."Waratahs captain Phil Waugh caused a scare at Wallabies training yesterday when he aggravated his ankle. However, scans last night on the same joint that saw Waugh miss most of the Super 14 revealed no serious damage, and although he will not train until Monday, is expected to be available for Test selection.
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald
