Wallabies wary of ‘great challenge’

AUSTRALIA’S comprehensive defeat by England at Twickenham on Saturday has added spice to tomorrow night’s clash of the Wallabies and Munster at Thomond Park.

Coach Robbie Deans is set to freshen things up ahead of their next assignment against Italy in Florence on Saturday and several of those chosen to line out in Limerick will have greater incentive to catch his eye and that of assistant coach Jim Williams, a legendary figure in Munster rugby since his time here from 2001 to ‘08.

“Any one involved in this kind of game will see it as a stepping stone and with a Test coming up at the weekend, they’ll all be anxious to put their best foot forward,” said Williams onarrival at Shannon Airport yesterday.

“They must front up first and foremost and going on the back of that, we’ll have to see how things go after the game. We’ll be looking to getting some consistency and try to put the best team on the paddock at the weekend. These guys just need to work hard and concentrate on the job against Munster.”

Australia are chasing their second midweek victory after defeating Leicester Tigers 26-15 last Tuesday. The only new face is that of hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau who has been selected on the bench and is set for his first game having recovered from an ankle injury. The promotion of Saia Faingaa is one of three changes to the pack from the Leicester game while the back line has also been reshuffled with Lachie Turner moving from the wing to full-back, wing Luke Monahan earns his first cap after coming off the bench and the Waratahs duo, skipper Berrick Barnes and Luke Burgess, continue at half-back. The squad features all seven members of the bench from Saturday’s game – Barnes, no 8 Richard Brown, Faingaa, props Dean Mumm and James Slipper and Turner. All but Faingaa and Turner came into that game while Matt Giteau – one of the replacements at Thomond Park – started against England.

“This is another opportunity for these guys to get as close to Test rugby as you’ll get”, stressed Robbie Deans. “We’re playing against teams full of internationals players and this week will be tougher again. Munster have a history of taking international scalps. Their combinations are more like international ones than provincial and this will be a great challenge for us. Following so close after the loss to England, it’s important we get back on the front foot again.

“There are guys aspiring to Test starts. This week’s combination will hopefully be better again which will help individuals within the side and this match is another great opportunity for them to stake a claim for the remaining two Tests on the tour.”

AUSTRALIA (v Munster): L. Turner (NSW Waratahs); R. Davies (Queensland Reds), P. McCabe (Brumbies), A. Faingaa (Queensland Reds), L. Monahan (Queensland Reds); B. Barnes (NSW Waratahs) capt, L. Burgess (NSW Waratahs); B. Daley (Queensland Reds), S. Faingaa (Queensland Reds), S. Ma’afu (Brumbies), D. Mumm (NSW Waratahs), R. Simmons (Queensland Reds), S. Higginbotham (Queensland Reds), M. Hodgson (Western Force), R. Brown (Western Force).

Replacements: T. Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs), J. Slipper (Queensland Reds), V. Humphries (Queensland Reds), P. McCutcheon (NSW Waratahs), N. Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), M. Giteau (Brumbies), P. Hynes (Queensland Reds).