Smith dropped

12 Nov 2009

Robbie Deans has only made one change for the clash against Ireland at Croke Park on Sunday.

George Smith was heavily criticised for his performance against England last Saturday, which sees the Wallabies veteran dropped to the bench for the Irish game.

David Pocock has now been promoted to the starting line-up in the No 7 jersey, as the 21-year-old will earn his 14th Test cap.

In the backline, Deans has decided to continue with Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane in the midfield.

Wallabies pivot Matt Giteau said the centre pair would have to be on top of their game to restrict Irish stalwart Brian O’Driscoll.

‘You saw on the recent Lions tours [of South Africa] how influential Brian can be,’ Giteau told rugbyheaven.com.au. ‘He’s a player a lot of guys look to for that leadership. He’s got a certain aura about him, especially here in Ireland. I think whenever guys play with him they get a lot confidence out of it.

‘Individually, he can do big things at big moments.’

Australia – 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Quade Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Tatafu Polota Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 George Smith, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 James O’Connor.


8 Comments

  • 1.Staal: Reply to this comment
    12 Nov 2009, 07:24 am

    Walla wannabeee like Boks Dragons! :lol:

  • 2.Dunx: Reply to this comment
    12 Nov 2009, 08:05 am

    and i didn’t expect this move and to think this is the continual move of our forward trust moving abroad and playing in kiwi & aus land, and the backline youngsters are also going

  • 3.Cheetha Champs: Reply to this comment
    12 Nov 2009, 09:50 am

    #2 Dunx: The talent that decided not to move are world champions, Tri Nations Champions, Super 14 Champions, etc. Let them move if they feel persecuted.

    I rate Pocock. He is absolutely superb. Good call by deans. The Irish “ground play” is average. I think Pocock will cause some serious head aches.

    Aussies by 8

  • 4.Lions_Soutie: Reply to this comment
    12 Nov 2009, 11:02 am

    O’ Driscoll still has the step but not the speed to back it up

  • 5.Oubaas2009: Reply to this comment
    12 Nov 2009, 11:44 am

    Smith should head to Europe to make some real money now.

  • 6.Mutant: Reply to this comment
    12 Nov 2009, 11:46 am

    ‘Heavily criticised’….didn’t think he was that bad. Still a world class player, but maybe needs a bit of rest over the coming months.

  • 7.SAussie/QldRed: Reply to this comment
    12 Nov 2009, 13:03 pm

    Don’t look too much into it, Deans said tht he is just rotating the two of them to keep both of them fresh. Everyone is rating the Irish, I rate the Bokks and AB’s above all else. The Wallabies have just come straight from the toughest tournament in the world against the undisputed best. We lost games true enough but we were competetive. I know the boys can show the Irish what SH rugby is like.

  • 8.flanka: Reply to this comment
    12 Nov 2009, 15:16 pm

    these wallabies need some real firepower wings…not the pretenders currently masquerading at 11 and 14…that’ll complete their backline

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