News
Wallabies confirm Tri-Nations 30
July 02 2009
Australia have confirmed their 30-man squad for the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament, with number eight Wycliff Palu their notable returnee.
The Waratahs loose forward has been recovering from injury over recent weeks and will join 21-year-old scrum-half Will Genia as Lote Tuqiri and Josh Valentine's squad replacements.
Coach Robbie Deans has decided on a 17-13 split in favour of his pack in an announcement that has been somewhat overshadowed by Tuqiri's Wednesday sacking by the ARU.
"If you look at the competition from an historical perspective, and more particularly look at the pointers from our experience last year; it is in the forward pack where our resources are most likely to come under stress," said Deans.
"With that in mind, and given the nature of playing resources that we have available to us at the moment in terms of players who we feel are capable at this level; we felt that a 17-13 split was the most appropriate mix for this tournament."
Genia is joined by one other uncapped player in the shape of Western Force flank Matt Hodgson following a strong Super 14, with Deans praising the 21-year-old number nine.
"Had Will been available for our first squad, we would have selected him," he continued.
"His absence gave Josh Valentine an opportunity to be involved, and gain experience within our group which is important in terms of broadening our halfback depth but, now that Will is ready to get started, it is an appropriate time to bring him in.
"We were impressed by what we saw of his work with the Reds, and believe that he is only going to get better with time and opportunity to develop his game within our framework."
Palu meanwhile has not played an international rugby fixture since taking on France in Paris last year, but his size and ball carrying ability will be key for the Wallabies.
"Cliff is in the same position as Will, in that he would have been selected in our initial squad had he been available," Deans said, before giving an update on the fitness of Rocky Elsom.
"Now that he's good to go, we're pleased to have him back.
"He's [Elsom] making progress but we won't look at getting Rocky started again until he is ready."
Wallabies squad for 2009 Tri-Nations: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Reds), Al Baxter Prop (Waratahs), Richard Brown (Western Force), Luke Burgess (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Pekahou Cowan (Western Force), Ryan Cross (Western Force), Rocky Elsom (Brumbies), Will Genia (Reds), Matt Giteau (Western Force), Matt Hodgson (Western Force), James Horwill (Reds), Peter Hynes (Reds), Peter Kimlin (Brumbies), Drew Mitchell (Western Force), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), James O'Connor (Western Force), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), David Pocock (Western Force), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), George Smith (Brumbies), Timana Tahu (Waratahs), Lachie Turner (Waratahs), Phil Waugh (Waratahs).