Australia announce side for clash with England

Jun 10 • International, World Rugby • 2624 Views • Comments Off on Australia announce side for clash with England

Australia wallabies

Wallabies rugby coach Robbie Deans has made four changes from the team which beat Fiji last weekend for Saturday’s first Test against England.

James O’Connor displaces Kurtley Beale at fullback after scoring three tries for the Australian Barbarians team which drew 28-28 with England in Perth on Tuesday and Drew Mitchell returns in place of the injured Adam Ashley-Cooper on the left wing.

Deans has opted for a notably inexperienced front row combination of props Salesi Ma’afu and Ben Daley and hooker Saia Faingaa. Daley and Faingaa take places occupied by Benn Robinson and Huia Edmonds in the Fiji Test.

Quade Cooper remains at flyhalf outside scrumhalf Luke Burgess while Matt Giteau continues at inside center in a midfield pairing with Rob Horne. Rocky Elsom will captain the team from the blindside flank.

Australia beat Fiji 49-3 in its first Test of the season.

Australia: James O’Connor, Digby Ioane, Rob Horne, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Quade Cooper, Luke Burgess; Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (captain), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma’afu, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley.

Substitutes: Huia Edmonds, James Slipper, Mark Chisholm, Matt Hodgson, Will Genia, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale.

[SAPA]