TRI-NATIONS:AUSTRALIA COACH Robbie Deans has placed enormous faith in James O'Connor to deliver the goods after naming the teenager at fullback for Saturday's Tri-Nations match against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium.
It will be O’Connor’s first start in a Bledisloe Cup Test after impressing in the position off the bench during the last 50 minutes against South Africa.
And in a further boost to the Wallabies’ chances of clinching their first win in the Tri-Nations series, Deans has recalled Rocky Elsom to the side for the first time since last August.
Elsom will make his comeback in Australian colours on the blindside flank, having finally overcome a knee injury.
The presence of Elsom necessitates the third change, with Richard Brown being shifted from the side to the back of the scrum in place of Wycliff Palu.
Brown played his first eight Tests for Australia as a number eight, before being switched to the side of the scrum for the opening two matches of the Tri-Nations to accommodate the return from injury of Palu.
Elsom returned to Australia with the Barbarians at the end of May, but was unable to play due to bruising in his knee which has kept the 26-year-old on the sidelines since.
This will be his 41st Test, but his first since the deciding game of last year’s Tri-Nations at Brisbane.
“While he hasn’t been able to get a game in, Rocky has done the work to get back up to speed. We are satisfied that he is good to go,” Deans said.
New Zealand have recalled outhalf Dan Carter to face Australia. Carter, the All Blacks’ first-choice playmaker, had been unavailable after rupturing his Achilles in February while playing in France.
AUSTRALIA:James O'Connor; Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom, George Smith (capt), Richard Brown.
NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina; Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read.
Remaining Fixtures
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney (11am Irish-time, live on Sky Sports Xtra)
Aug 29th: Australia v South Africa, Perth
Sep 5th: Australia v South Africa, Brisbane
Sep 12th: N Zealand v S Africa Hamilton
Sep 19th: N Zealand v Australia, Wellington
