Australia A out to avenge Ospreys loss against Ireland A
Australia A will be out to avenge their shock loss to Ospreys in Swansea a fortnight ago when they meet a strong Ireland A lineup in Limerick on Wednesday night.
Brumbies lock Al Campbell will again captain the team, after leading Australia A to a two-match series whitewash over Fiji in July.
| Australia A Team |
| 1. | Benn Robinson |
| 2. | Tai McIsaac |
| 3. | Rodney Blake |
| 4. | Al Campbell (c) |
| 5. | James Horwill |
| 6. | Scott Fava |
| 7. | Stephen Hoiles |
| 8. | David Lyons |
| 9. | Brett Sheehan |
| 10. | Mark Gerrard |
| 11. | Drew Mitchell |
| 12. | Scott Staniforth |
| 13. | Morgan Turinui (vc) |
| 14. | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| 15. | Cameron Shepherd |
| Reserve Bench |
| 16. | Tatafu Polota-Nau |
| 17. | Nic Henderson |
| 18. | Mitchell Chapman |
| 19. | George Smith |
| 20. | Josh Valentine |
| 21. | Gene Fairbanks |
| 22. | Clyde Rathbone |
| Coach: John Muggleton |
Mark Gerrard retains his place at flyhalf and will be well supported by Scott Staniforth at inside centre.
Staniforth, who played most of the Super 14 season at inside centre for the Western Force, has been moved closer to the action for Wednesday’s game after starting on the wing against the Ospreys two weeks ago.
In another positional switch, Waratahs centre Morgan Turinui returns to his regular post at outside centre and has also been named vice captain of the team.
New Western Force recruit Drew Mitchell will see his first action of the Spring Tour since recovering from the fractured jaw he suffered during the Wallabies’ Coffs Harbour training camp prior to the tour.
Mitchell will start on the left wing, while Brumbies utility Adam Ashley-Cooper will occupy the right wing.
In the forwards, Western Force number 8 Scott Fava, who joined the squad on Friday after receiving a late call up for the injured Hugh McMeniman, will play in the unfamiliar role of blindside flanker.
Al Campbell, flanker George Smith and winger Clyde Rathbone will each back up after taking part in the Wallabies’ 7-point victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Wallaby Defence Coach John Muggleton will coach the side, with the match to kick off at 7.30pm local time on Wednesday night (15 November).
Wallabies Coach John Connolly said there are still Test positions up for grabs over the next fortnight, providing extra incentive for Australia A players to perform well on Wednesday night.
“We are looking at a couple of positions in the Test team and there are a number of players in this Australia A team that can put themselves in the reckoning for the final two Tests with a good performance on Wednesday,” said Connolly.
“We are looking closely at some changes to the backline for the Ireland test and we will be watching the performances of the outside backs with plenty of interest on Wednesday night,” he added.
Connolly is also looking forward to seeing Mark Gerrard’s second full match at flyhalf.
“I think (Gerrard) will be much more equipped to handle the role this time around,” said Connolly.
“He will have a more specific game plan and will get good support from his outside men in Scott Staniforth and Morgan Turinui, who are both experienced players in the midfield,” he said.
Spring Tour - Match Four
Ireland A vs Australia A
Thomond Park, Limerick
Wednesday night, November 15, 2006
Kick-Off: 7:30pm (GMT) 6:30am (Thu 2 Nov AEDST)
Full report available here on Thursday.
| 
