Dunning returns to put neck on the line for Wallabies

PROP Matt Dunning might be the only change to the Australia side for the clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow - but it is a significant one.

Just two weekends ago the Waratahs loosehead was carried off against England at Twickenham in a neck brace, having had a torrid time in the scrums against Phil Vickery.

The 23-year-old was the victim of a serious-looking neck injury following a scrum collapse towards the end of the second half and his tour looked over.

But fortunately for Dunning he has made a speedy recovery after medical scans showed he had only damaged soft tissue in the neck.

And after sitting out the 30-14 Wallaby win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road last week he has been cleared to resume against Wales.

Dunning is back in a team which will be led for the 50th time by George Gregan, who will be looking to register Australia’s 10th straight victory over Wales.

The last time the Wallabies lost to the Welsh was 18 years ago in the third-place play-off at the 1987 World Cup.

Dunning will take over from rookie Greg Holmes, who has reason to feel hard done by after helping the Australians to end a seven-match losing run last weekend.

“Matty Dunning got through a solid scrum session on Tuesday and while we were extremely happy with the way Greg Holmes played against Ireland, we’ll need Matt’s experience at loosehead prop,” said Australia coach Eddie Jones.

“It’s a tough call on Greg, but he’s a young player and this tour has been great experience for him. He got his first test cap and we feel he’s going to be a very good player in the future.”

Dunning returns to try to nullify the threat posed by Wales tighthead Chris Horsman.

Though Wales lost 33-16 to South Africa last weekend they made a decent fist of things up front, with Horsman’s solid display forcing Springbok coach Jake White to swap Lawrence Sephaka for Os du Randt before the end of the first half.

But Welsh prop Duncan Jones insists the Wallaby pack will pose a far tougher challenge tomorrow than many red dragon fans might expect.

Only a fortnight ago Australia’s scrum was demolished by Andrew Sheridan and the England front row so comprehensively that Jones called for specialist tight five schools to be set up Down Under as a matter of urgency.

In contrast, the Wales scrum has been the best facet of their play this autumn and they put the South African pack under so much pressure last week that coach Jake White was forced into a front row change after only 36 minutes.

After the game White advised Wales boss Mike Ruddock to concentrate on attacking Australia at the set-piece, as England did with such success.

But the Wallabies showed definite improvement in last weekend’s victory in Dublin and Jones expects them to come out even harder against Wales this weekend.

“A lot was said of the Australian pack but if someone highlights a perceived weakness you then go and work on it,” said Jones.

Matt Dawson has been ruled out of England’s clash against Samoa at Twickenham tomorrow.

The Wasps scrum-half suffered a calf muscle strain in training yesterday and his place on the bench will now be taken by Gloucester’s Peter Richards.

Australia: C Latham; M Gerrard, L Tuqiri, M Turinui, D Mitchell, M Rogers, G Gregan (capt); M Dunning, B Cannon, D Fitter, H McMeniman, N Sharpe, J Roe, P Waugh, G Smith.