NZ league convert Hape to make England debut
Source: Agencies |
June 11, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
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FORMER New Zealand rugby league international Shontayne Hape will make his international debut for England against Australia in Perth tomorrow.
Hape was named at inside center by England coach Martin Johnson yesterday for the match at Subiaco Oval and will become the third former New Zealand rugby league international to play for England, following Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.
"I have been very impressed with him," Johnson said of the 29-year-old. "He's a very smart carrier with the ball in hand. He's one of those guys that seems to have a bit more time than most, he's very composed."
Hape, who made his first England appearance in the non-cap game against the Barbarians at Twickenham before the squad left for Australia, is one of four changes from the starting side which played France in its final Six Nations match in March.
Hooker Steve Thompson and lock Tom Palmer both return to the starting side after coming off the bench in Paris while flanker Tom Croft, who missed the Six Nations with a knee injury, replaces Joe Worsley.
Australia prop Ben Daley will face a baptism of fire after he was named by coach Robbie Deans to make his test debut against England.
The 21-year-old was named in the starting side after first choice Benn Robinson broke his arm during the Super 14, while Ben Alexander suffered a serious knee injury against Fiji last week.
Daley will be joined in an inexperienced front row with hooker Saia Faingaa making his first start and tighthead Salesi Ma'afu, who made his test debut in the 49-3 victory over Fiji last week in Canberra.
Such was the injury toll amongst the Wallabies front rowers, with regular hookers Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau also injured, local media had speculated Deans may have recalled props Al Baxter and Matt Dunning into the squad.
Both players had been dropped by Deans since he took over the team in late 2007.
Daley's Queensland Reds front row teammate James Slipper could also make his test debut off the bench after he impressed for the Australian Barbarians in their 28-28 draw with England in Perth on Tuesday.
Hape was named at inside center by England coach Martin Johnson yesterday for the match at Subiaco Oval and will become the third former New Zealand rugby league international to play for England, following Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.
"I have been very impressed with him," Johnson said of the 29-year-old. "He's a very smart carrier with the ball in hand. He's one of those guys that seems to have a bit more time than most, he's very composed."
Hape, who made his first England appearance in the non-cap game against the Barbarians at Twickenham before the squad left for Australia, is one of four changes from the starting side which played France in its final Six Nations match in March.
Hooker Steve Thompson and lock Tom Palmer both return to the starting side after coming off the bench in Paris while flanker Tom Croft, who missed the Six Nations with a knee injury, replaces Joe Worsley.
Australia prop Ben Daley will face a baptism of fire after he was named by coach Robbie Deans to make his test debut against England.
The 21-year-old was named in the starting side after first choice Benn Robinson broke his arm during the Super 14, while Ben Alexander suffered a serious knee injury against Fiji last week.
Daley will be joined in an inexperienced front row with hooker Saia Faingaa making his first start and tighthead Salesi Ma'afu, who made his test debut in the 49-3 victory over Fiji last week in Canberra.
Such was the injury toll amongst the Wallabies front rowers, with regular hookers Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau also injured, local media had speculated Deans may have recalled props Al Baxter and Matt Dunning into the squad.
Both players had been dropped by Deans since he took over the team in late 2007.
Daley's Queensland Reds front row teammate James Slipper could also make his test debut off the bench after he impressed for the Australian Barbarians in their 28-28 draw with England in Perth on Tuesday.
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