Pair return to boost Wallabies

Scotland will have to brace themselves for the return of Stirling Mortlock and Phil Waugh to the Australia side after Eddie Jones today named his starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test in Sydney.

Jones made just two changes to the side which beat Scotland 35-15 last Sunday, with Mortlock returning from injury to replace Clyde Rathbone at outside centre while Waugh was given the nod to start at openside flanker ahead of George Smith.

“It’s always difficult to change a winning team but I’m confident this combination will give us a good improvement on last week’s performance,” said Jones.

Mortlock has not played for a month, since damaging his medial ligaments in the ACT Brumbies’ Super 12 semi-final victory over the Chiefs, but will inject a more direct, physical presence to the Wallabies midfield.

“Stirling was in good form during the Super 12. He is a proven Test player so we would like to have him back in the side, raring to go and fully fit,” said Jones.

“Clyde played his first game at outside centre for 30 months and I was really happy with his performance in his first Test, but Stirling is an experienced player and we need him back in the team.”

After Jones dispensed with his World Cup policy of playing both his specialist openside flankers in the back row, Smith and Waugh have been left to once again battle it out for the same spot.

Smith began the first Test but Waugh was introduced with 25 minutes remaining and added a sense of urgency to the Wallabies’ competition at the breakdown.

“Waugh and Smith were very close for the first Test and we have elected to go with Waugh ahead of George for this game,” said Jones.

“We think Waugh will give us a bit more at the tackle ruck than George and he deserves his opportunity. They are always close. They are fighting for the same position.”

Mortlock will slot into a familiar back line, which includes his Brumbies team-mates George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Matt Giteau and Joe Roff.

Rathbone would have also been pushing for a place on the wing, where he excelled for the Brumbies this year, but Jones stuck by Wendell Sailor.

“Competition for places is pretty intense and combinations are important,” said Jones.

“We are looking for consistency of performance. That is the main criteria for deciding who is going to start, who is on the bench and who is not in the 22.”

Winger Mark Gerrard was not considered for selection as he struggles to overcome a thigh strain while Matt Burke has dropped off the bench to accommodate Mortlock.

Scotland coach Matt Williams will name his side tomorrow, though he may have to do so without knowing for sure whether either of his first-choice locks, Stuart Grimes or Scott Murray, can play.

Grimes was handed a two-match suspension on Monday after being cited for “trampling” on Wallabies number eight David Lyons.

Although Scotland have appealed against the severity of the sentence, they are still waiting to discover whether the hearing will be scheduled for later this week.

Murray suffered severe bruising of the hip in a clash with Lyons on Sunday and continued his intense physiotherapy yesterday but it remained too early to gauge whether he will be fit in time.

Australia team to play Scotland in the second Test against Scotland on Sunday: J Roff; W Sailor, S Mortlock, M Giteau, L Tuqiri; S Larkham, G Gregan (capt); B Young, B Cannon, A Baxter, J Harrison, N Sharpe, R Samo, P Waugh, D Lyons.

Replacements: M Dunning, J Paul, D Vickerman, G Smith, M Turinui, C Rathbone, C Latham.