Cooper starts as flyhalf for Wallabies
Source: Agencies |
June 2, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
QUADE Cooper displaced Matt Giteau at flyhalf in the starting lineup for Australia's opening test of the season against Fiji.
Cooper, who was Australia's Super 14 player of the season following his influential performances for the resurgent Queensland Reds, switched positions with Giteau, who moves to inside center, from Australia's last test match - a 33-12 win over Wales in Cardiff last November.
The switch "has never been a big (issue), but Quade has earned the right, he's played so well," Australia coach Robbie Deans said after announcing the 22-man squad yesterday.
Giteau said he was comfortable with the move out of the key playmaking position.
"My role now is to take as much pressure as I can off Quade, but it helps when you've got those quality players around you," Giteau said. "It's very exciting. Not just the backline, but I think the whole side, everyone offers something different."
Kurtley Beale was selected at fullback, preferred to James O'Connor and necessitating Adam Ashley-Cooper's move to the wing. Luke Burgess regained his starting scrumhalf spot ahead of Josh Valentine to cover for injured Will Genia.
Tighthead prop Salesi Ma'afu, hooker Huia Edmonds and outside center Rob Horne will all earn their first test caps after being named in the starting lineup. The addition of Horne meant Digby Ioane reverted to the wing from the midfield, where he played during the last Spring tour.
Australia has won 15 of its 18 tests against Fiji and had one draw. Fiji's last win over the Wallabies was in the year 1954.
If Fiji selects prop Campese Ma'afu - the younger brother of Salesi Ma'afu - for the weekend match, it will be the first time two brothers have made their test debuts on opposing teams in a test.
Cooper, who was Australia's Super 14 player of the season following his influential performances for the resurgent Queensland Reds, switched positions with Giteau, who moves to inside center, from Australia's last test match - a 33-12 win over Wales in Cardiff last November.
The switch "has never been a big (issue), but Quade has earned the right, he's played so well," Australia coach Robbie Deans said after announcing the 22-man squad yesterday.
Giteau said he was comfortable with the move out of the key playmaking position.
"My role now is to take as much pressure as I can off Quade, but it helps when you've got those quality players around you," Giteau said. "It's very exciting. Not just the backline, but I think the whole side, everyone offers something different."
Kurtley Beale was selected at fullback, preferred to James O'Connor and necessitating Adam Ashley-Cooper's move to the wing. Luke Burgess regained his starting scrumhalf spot ahead of Josh Valentine to cover for injured Will Genia.
Tighthead prop Salesi Ma'afu, hooker Huia Edmonds and outside center Rob Horne will all earn their first test caps after being named in the starting lineup. The addition of Horne meant Digby Ioane reverted to the wing from the midfield, where he played during the last Spring tour.
Australia has won 15 of its 18 tests against Fiji and had one draw. Fiji's last win over the Wallabies was in the year 1954.
If Fiji selects prop Campese Ma'afu - the younger brother of Salesi Ma'afu - for the weekend match, it will be the first time two brothers have made their test debuts on opposing teams in a test.
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