Australia announce squad for third test – Rugby News Update
Robbie Deans, the head coach of Australia, has announced the squad that will play Wales in the third and final test at Sydney, this Saturday.
The Wallabies have already won the series by clinching the first two games, but they will want to have a clean sweep, while Wales would want to win their first test at Australian soil since 1969.
The surprise inclusion in the squad is off Kurtley Beale, the 23-year-old fullback, who has been out with a shoulder injury, while he was charged with assault in Brisbane on the weekend.
On his inclusion in the team, Deans said, "It has been frustrating for Kurtley, and he's obviously had some off-field challenges to deal with as well, but it was important for all concerned that he had full confidence in his shoulder before we looked at
re-introducing him to the Test arena."
Deans is also weary of the Wales threat, and he feels that even though Australia has won the series, they cannot take their opponents lightly. The two games have been very close, especially the last one when the Wallabies won with the last kick.
He said, "If anything, they will be even more dangerous because the circumstance will unshackle them. While they can no longer win the series, they can still achieve something only one other Welsh team has ever achieved by winning in Australia.”
He further added, "And they have that opportunity in front of them with no real downside.”
The inclusion of Beale will mean that Adam Ashley-Cooper will be shifted to the right wing, while Nathan Sharpe is expected to play as well. Sharpe was going to retire but he is not ready yet.
Mike Harris who was the star for the Wallabies in the last match has been dropped, as Deans has named five forwards and two backs on the bench.
Australia:
Kurtley Beale; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Berrick Barnes, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota Nau, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Nathan Sharpe, Scott Higginbotham, David Pocock (captain), Wycliff Palu
Replacements: Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Anthony Fainga'a
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