Senior players recalled by Wallabies

Eurosport - Wed, 12 Nov 13:43:00 2008

Australia have reverted to the majority of the side that lost narrowly to New Zealand two weeks ago for their clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Matt Giteau - Australia - 0

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans makes eight changes from the side that edged passed Italy 30-20 last weekend, but his starting XV shows just one change from the side that went down 19-14 to the All Blacks in Hong Kong.

New Zealander Deans has named the same backline from that defeat, with skipper Stirling Mortlock and Ryan Cross reunited in the centres. Matt Giteau (pictured) returns at fly-half to form a partnership with the dangerous Luke Burgess.

The only change up front from the All Blacks game sees Hugh McMeniman switch from the second row to blindside flank to make way for the experienced Nathan Sharpe.

Dean Mumm is named on the replacements bench after starting in the second row against Italy.

Also back for the Wallabies is key openside George Smith, who was rested for the Italy game, while prop Al Baxter is recalled to the front row, where he will lock horns once again with England giant Andrew Sheridan.

Smith replaces Phil Waugh while Baxter comes in for Matt Dunning. On the other side of the front row, Benn Robinson starts ahead of Ben Alexander, with the impressive Stephen Moore retained at hooker.

The XV includes only six players who featured in the 12-10 World Cup quarter-final loss to England last year, when Sheridan lead an assault that the Wallabies' front row.

Deans, however, insists that Australia have not dwelled on that defeat during their preparations for Saturday.

"The great thing about this game is that the past doesn't have a bearing," Deans said.

"It's what happens on the weekend. England at Twickenham is one of the ultimate rugby experiences."

Australia: 15-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14-Peter Hynes, 13-Ryan Cross, 12-Stirling Mortlock (capt), 11-Drew Mitchell, 10-Matt Giteau, 9-Luke Burgess; 8-Richard Brown, 7-George Smith, 6-Hugh McMeniman, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-Mark Chisholm, 3-Al Baxter, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17-Matt Dunning, 18-Dean Mumm, 19-Wycliff Palu, 20-Sam Cordingley, 21-Quade Cooper, 22-Digby Ioane.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport

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  1. don't knock the wallabies they are different­ proposition to the pacific islanders.
    it will be a­ tough match

    From John L, on Thu 13 Nov 9:55PM
  2. looking forward to the fat teletubby Dunning getting a­ pasting again when he waddles on second half!

    From john, on Wed 12 Nov 1:11PM
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