Deans recalls Smith to face Scotland - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Deans recalls Smith to face Scotland

By Darren Walton 20/11/2009 07:24:49 AM Comments (0)

The grand slam dream is over but, with the stakes still high, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans on Thursday named just one change to his starting XV for Saturday's Hopetoun Cup Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Australia have won their past 16 encounters with Scotland dating back to 1982, but Deans is taking no risks as the Wallabies strive to complete a rare unbeaten tour of the UK and Ireland.

George Smith has been recalled to the openside flank, with youngster David Pocock - man-of-the-match in Sunday's 20-20 draw with Six Nations champions Ireland - rested and omitted altogether from the matchday 22.

Back-rower Richard Brown has won a place on the Test-day bench for the first time this tour, as has Sekope Kepu, who has replaced Matt Dunning as the reserve prop.

Twelve players, including the entire tight five plus back-rowers Rocky Elsom and Wycliff Palu, will be playing their fourth Test in as many weeks.

Ironman prop Benn Robinson admitted the heavy workload was taking its toll on the forwards in particular, but vowed to soldier on.

"For me personally, I think I have backed up for about 24 in a row. I'll definitely feel it at the end of this trip," Robinson said.

"It is a challenge playing game after game after game, but everyone loves these opportunities and everyone loves these challenges.

"If you threw me in any position, wherever it is, I'd jump at it.

"Look, all the boys are coping pretty well. The workload has dropped off significantly since the start of the tour.

"That's just natural because blokes are going to be fatigued and injured, so that definitely needs to happen.

"But dealing with it, it's a big squad and we've got plenty of depth there and can definitely handle the challenge."

Robinson said the Wallabies remained mentally strong halfway through their four-Test, six-game tour of the British Isles, where they have so far conquered England and Gloucester and drawn Ireland.

"Everyone's out there and wants to do well, so everyone challenges each other at training so the mentality we've got at the moment is quite a positive one," he said.

"Each game we take as its own and everyone's pretty excited for a game - whether it's the mid-weeker against Cardiff (next Tuesday) or Gloucester, everyone's pretty excited.

"You can see in the way we train, everyone's pretty pumped up about the way we go about our work."

The Wallabies are expecting a tough time from the Scottish scrum.

"They're a strong pack and a solid pack and can cause a lot of damage," Robinson said.

"The efficiency of their hit is stronger than, I suppose, other northern hemisphere sides.

"Even though they are underrated, they're definitely going to be a different challenge for us."

Fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, wingers Peter Hynes and Drew Mitchell, centre Quade Cooper, halfback Will Genia, flanker David Pocock, lock James Horwill and prop Ben Alexander will all be facing Scotland for the first time.

Genia, though, said the Wallabies had done ample analysis to know what to expect from the world's ninth-ranked side.

"They're a side that can play both games - tight and expansive," he said.

"Their backs like to play it wide and defensively they like to get up quickly off the line, so that will be a bit of a challenge for us."

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom (capt), Mark Chisholm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu , Dean Mumm, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Ryan Cross, James O'Connor.

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