Wallaby Welcome For Act High Five
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday May 26, 2004
FIVE new caps - including a Fijian and a South African - and a player unwanted by his Super 12 rugby franchise have been selected in the Wallabies squad for the first Test against Scotland next month.
Coach Eddie Jones named a 27-man squad for the June 13 Test at Melbourne's Telstra Dome, describing the crop of young Wallabies as the best since he took on the national job in 2001.
Lock Mark Chisholm, wingers Mark Gerrard and Clyde Rathbone, prop Nic Henderson and lock cum flanker Radike Samo were rewarded for an outstanding season for Super 12 champions the Brumbies, while Waratahs discard Matt Burke was recalled after missing an initial train-on squad.
``The one thing Super 12 has done this year is throw up a number of young players under the age of 22 or 23 who've played consistently at the Super 12 level," Jones said.
``Five have been rewarded today in terms of Wallaby selection and there are a few others with enormous potential that are certainly knocking on the door."
Samo committed to Australia after being named in a Fiji squad on the weekend.
The athletic 27-year-old said he was happy to play for the Wallabies, but his long-term future remained up in the air after signing a $400,000-a-year contract with English side Newcastle.
South African-born Rathbone, feted by Springbok coach Jake White, said opportunity and lifestyle made him chose Australia over his homeland.
``I want to realise my potential as a player and I think there is more potential for me to do that if I stay in Australia," said Rathbone, who is likely to start at outside centre after the injury to Stirling Mortlock.
Burke - a veteran of 76 Tests - got a reprieve, largely because of Mortlock (knee) who may be out of action for another six weeks.
After playing for the Barbarians in Europe, Burke will link up with the Australian squad in Coffs Harbour on June 3 - two days after the camp begins.
``Burkey's probably had a little bit of an up and down Super 12 season but has played well on occasions. We certainly need to have cover at outside centre," Jones said.
Other veterans who didn't fare as well were Brumbies pair Owen Finegan and David Giffin. Both look to have played their last Tests - flanker Finegan on the outer since not being included in the 2003 World Cup squad while lock Giffin retired from Super 12 last weekend after an injury-interrupted two seasons.
Utility Matt Giteau was effectively the second half-back for the Australians behind captain George Gregan with the Waratahs' Chris Whitaker unavailable through injury.
Whitaker (knee) was expected to be available for the Pacific Islanders Test in Adelaide on July 3.
WALLABY SQUAD:
Alastair Baxter, Matthew Burke, Brendan Cannon, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Elton Flatley, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, George Gregan (c), Justin Harrison, Nic Henderson, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, David Lyons, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, John Roe, Joe Roff, Wendell Sailor, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Bill Young.
© 2004 Illawarra Mercury