Mumm to skipper Wallabies
2 Nov 2009
Lock Dean Mumm will captain the Wallabies second-stringers in their match against Gloucester on Tuesday.
After Australia lost their opening match on tour against the All Blacks, coach Robbie Deans has predictably opted to give those players a rest. Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is the exception as he started in Tokyo but is set to be replaced by Stephen Moore for the England Test, as the Waratahs No 2 starts in Gloucester.
This run-on XV contains nine players with Test experience that totals 136 caps.
Australia – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Dean Mumm (c), 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Subs: 16 Pek Cowan, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Wycliff Palu, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Matt To’omua, 22 James O’Connor.
14 Comments
2 Nov 2009, 09:54 am
Dragon Mumm’s the word!
2 Nov 2009, 10:02 am
Kurtley Beale at fullback? I heard rumours but was praying it wasn’t going to happen.
Cooper and Beale in the same backline, I foresee a few very, very soft missed tackles.
On the plus side, I am really looking forward to seeing some of these guys get a chance.
On S14 form Mitchell Chapman was the best Aussie no.6, a big workhorse that the current loose trio is lacking.
Tyrone Smith to hopefully add some tackle-breaking ability in midfield that Barnes and Giteau can’t offer, and Toomua to come on and continue the good form he showed in the Currie Cup. I still rate him much higher than both the softies mentioned up top
2 Nov 2009, 10:19 am
No name brands !!
Who the hell is:
1. Dave Dennis
2. Salesi Maafu
3. Sekope Kepu
??? Gloucester could win this one despite their crappy GP run
2 Nov 2009, 10:27 am
#3 Cheetha Champs: Kepu plays for the Tahs. Got capped last EOYT, then he and Dunning both got season ending injuries in a collapsed scrum vs the BaaBaas.
Ma’afu is a 126kg prop, has about 30 caps for Brumbies.
Granted, Dave Dennis is the ultimate nobody though. Has been in Tahs squad since 2007, but has spent the last 2 years injured before having a good season in Sydney Club rugby, which would probably only be on par with the grade below Currie Cup.
2 Nov 2009, 11:02 am
what’s with the all Tongan front row. Has the prop depth really hit rock bottom in Aussie.
2 Nov 2009, 12:36 pm
just what the Wallies need at the moment…..a good reliable mum.
2 Nov 2009, 12:38 pm
and it was good to see donut warming up on the sideline on sat nite……he looks like the character from the `Incredibles` from the back lol
2 Nov 2009, 12:44 pm
#7 captain fantail: LOL – i bet he was eyeing up a drop goal
2 Nov 2009, 14:06 pm
#4 DonutDunning: Hi Donutt, how’s things mate, I hope these guys put on a good performance. As you rightly pointed out theres some damm good quality players in that team, and their just waiting to shine.
As for the main team I’m convinced Barnes is a better 10 than Gits, he’s more level headed and can run a game. Gits seems to feel the pressure too, he’s no Carter or Larkam thats for sure. Also without Morlock we’re badly exposed, we need a Quality 13 and Cross is just not it. Digby and Hynes are a breath of fresh air as is Palu’s timely return to form. O’conner should be introduced slowly and off the bench, he’s a talent thats for sure but too young and not physically developed enough for test level. Give him a year or too and he’ll be better for it.
#6 captain fantail: Don’t you ******** laugh, lets see how you go without Carter this weeknd, Real Big Shoes to fill I would say.
Go Wallabies
2 Nov 2009, 15:15 pm
He’s lucky to be available given he ran a lap of the field just to get in his 2 haymakers at Woodcock only to immediately depart the scene quicker than a Safa 800m runner/ee.
2 Nov 2009, 15:57 pm
#3 Cheetha Champs:
3. Sekope Kepu
think they’re talking about Skoppie…? Thought he was passed his playing days…
2 Nov 2009, 16:06 pm
Australia to take it.
2 Nov 2009, 19:56 pm
Mumm Rolette rolls on…
2 Nov 2009, 21:56 pm
The problem with the Wallabies backline recently is the physical presence and tackle breakers in the midfield and backfield. Since Mortlock has been out, Nonu and the rest of the ABs have been running through the likes of Barnes, Git and O’Connor like a doormat. I like to see them bring back Ryan Cross to midfield, he straightens up the line and hits hard, until Mortlock comes back, and when Mortlock retires next year, they need to look at bringing Digby Ioane or Tyrone Smith into the outside centre, to complement the smaller Barnes and Giteau.
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