Rugby Heaven

Rugby Heaven

Rugby-Wallabies pick Ashley-Cooper to face All Blacks
Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:36AM BST
SYDNEY, June 27 (Reuters) - Australia have selected utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper on the wing for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Melbourne.

Ashley-Cooper has already played three matches in the centres for the Wallabies this season but replaces Drew Mitchell on the wing in the only change to the starting side that was beaten 22-19 by South Africa in Cape Town a fortnight ago.
Mitchell was also overlooked for the replacements bench with coach John Connolly calling up Scott Staniforth as one of just two reserve backs.
Connolly said he wanted five forwards on his bench to try and match New Zealand's superior depth in the pack when the bigger players start to tire late in the match.
"New Zealand's strength is in their depth," Connolly said in a statement.
"We saw the impact their bench made against South Africa last week and they are just so strong from 1 to 22.
"To beat them we will need to play our best rugby and do the little things well.
"You can't afford to give the All Blacks any opportunities because they have incredible talent across the field and have the ability to hurt you from any position."
New Zealand are overwhelming favourites to win the match and retain the Bledisloe Cup, which is contested every time the two teams play each other, but Connolly said his team were confident of matching their more-fancied opponents.
"I think the fans will see a typically tough test between Australia and New Zealand. Bledisloe Cups are battles first and foremost," he said.

Australia - 15-Julian Huxley; 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13-Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Lote Tuqiri; 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-George Gregan; 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-George Smith, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Dan Vickerman, 4-Nathan Sharpe; 3-Guy Shepherdson, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Matt Dunning.
Replacements: 16-Adam Freier, 17-Al Baxter, 18-Mark Chisholm, 19-Stephen Hoiles, 20-Phil Waugh, 21-Scott Staniforth, 22-Mark Gerrard.