Robbie Deans brings in the changes – Rugby News Update
Robbie Deans, the 52-year-old head coach of Australia, is set to announce his 22-man squad for the first test against Wales on Saturday, June 9.
Scotland beat the Wallabies 9-6 on Tuesday, June 5, and Deans has admitted that the team will take a bruised ego in the match against Wales. However, on the injury front there is good news, as none of the players are expected to sit out.
One person that will miss the cut is Quade Cooper, who recently returned from a knee injury. Deans feels that including him jeopardises not only the player, but the team as well. It is important that the player makes a full recovery before he can play for
the Wallabies again.
The coach said on Cooper, "He's not ready and he understands that, it's not worth the risk because you could compromise not only him in the long run but also us."
Deans is also mindful of the approach that Wales will take. Following the tour of Wales, the British and Irish Lions visit in 2013, and it is likely that Warren Gatland, the head coach of Wales will be mentoring that side. Gatland is currently not with the
team, as he is nursing an injury, and in his place Rob Howley is coaching the Welsh.
On the Lions tour he said, “They're very conscious of the fact this series is a precursor to the (2013 British and Irish Lions) series and their coach is the Lions coach so if they do a very good job in this instance they'll get an inside lane.”
Wallabies have had a heavy workload recently, and the game at Newcastle against Scotland took a lot of Deans’ men. He is mindful that Wales will alter their tactics according to the situation, even though they play a different brand of rugby than their Scottish
counterparts.
The conditions are also expected to be different at Brisbane. The slippery conditions at New Castle did not help much, but dry conditions could lead to a more expansive approach.
Wales are scheduled to play in Melbourne on June 16 and wrap up the tour in Sydney on June 23.
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