Wallabies ring the changes

Eurosport - Tue, 02 Dec 12:11:00 2008

Uncapped lock Peter Kimlin and teenage full-back James O'Connor have been named in a reshuffled Australia team for their final European tour match against the Barbarians in London.

RUGBY James O'Connor Force Australia - 0

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans entered into the best traditions of Barbarian rugby by picking a largely experimental side, selecting fringe players who had been given little game time in the Test matches.

Kimlin, who was only called into the touring squad as a late replacement for the injured James Horwill, was named on the bench while scrumhalf Brett Sheehan was also chosen to make his first appearance of the tour in the run-on side.

The 18-year-old O'Connor (pictured) made his Test debut as a replacement against Italy last month and will earn his first run-on jersey against the Barbarians.

Wednesday's match at Wembley Stadium does not carry Test status but was organised to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Australia's gold medal in rugby at the 1908 London Olympics.

George Smith takes over the captaincy from Stirling Mortlock, who joined a heavy casualty list that includes Matt Giteau and Nathan Sharpe after Australia's 21-18 loss to Wales last weekend.

Australia: 15-James O'Connor, 14-Lote Tuqiri, 13-Ryan Cross, 12-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11-Digby Ioane, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Brett Sheehan, 8-Richard Brown, 7-George Smith (capt), 6-Dean Mumm, 5-Hugh McMeniman, 4-Mark Chisholm, 3-Matt Dunning, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Sekope Kepu.

Replacements: 16-Adam Freier, 17-Ben Alexander, 18-Peter Kimlin, 19-David Pocock, 20-Luke Burgess, 21-Lachie Turner, 22-Drew Mitchell.

Reuters

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  1. Does anyone know if this is being televised at all?

    From neil, on Wed 3 Dec 11:31AM
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