Wallabies forced to reshuffle

Australia were today forced to reshuffle their replacements for Saturday’s World Cup final rematch against England after winger Mark Gerrard and hooker Jeremy Paul sustained injuries in training.

Gerrard was primed to win his debut Test cap off the bench after overcoming a thigh strain and breaking into the Wallabies 22-man squad for the first time.

But the blistering ACT Brumbies winger, who scored a hat-trick in the Super 12 final, tore a hamstring 20 minutes from the end of the Wallabies’ late training session today.

Gerrard is definitely out of contention for the game, with Matt Henjak, the Brumbies reserve scrum-half, to take his place on the bench.

Paul’s fate was not immediately known for sure, though he was a serious doubt after straining ligaments in his right knee during a contact session at Ballymore.

“It’s really disappointing for Mark who has worked hard to get over a thigh strain and has now injured his hamstring,” said Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

“He was named in the 22 for the first time today and he’s very disappointed that he won’t be able to take his place in the team on Saturday.”

Paul will have an MRI scan in the morning and will be reassessed tomorrow, but Jones has placed NSW Waratahs hooker Adam Freier on standby.

“We’ll know more about Jeremy’s injury in the morning, but at this stage he is in doubt for the Test,” said Jones.

Australia’s starting XV remains unaffected, with inside centre Matt Giteau back in the team after shaking off the bug which kept him out of last weekend’s victory over Scotland.

Giteau slots back into the centres alongside Stirling Mortlock in a Wallabies side which features 12 of the starting line-up from the World Cup final last November.

Two of the changes from that team are injury-enforced with Joe Roff starting at full-back for Mat Rogers, out with a long-term ankle problem, and Giteau replacing Elton Flatley – so nearly Australia’s hero in the final – who broke his wrist playing for Queensland against Scotland.

The other change is tactical after Jones ditched his World Cup policy of playing both George Smith and Phil Waugh, Australia’s specialist open-side flankers, in the same team.

Radike Samo, the ACT Brumbies revelation who turned down a move to Newcastle after being included in the Wallabies squad, will start at blind-side flanker with Waugh retaining the number seven jersey.

Giteau has won 11 caps for Australia – dating back to his debut off the bench against England at Twickenham in 2002 – but only made two starts.

Jones, though, is confident he is ready to tackle England on Saturday.

“He’s played at a high level for a couple of seasons now and is ready for the challenge of starting in a big Test like this one,” said Jones.

“It was disappointing for Matt to miss out on a starting opportunity against Scotland last weekend, but he has the experience and skill to step up this weekend.”

England coach Sir Clive Woodward yesterday laid down the challenge to Australia, declaring they would never have a better time to beat his injury-depleted side than Saturday.

Jones, who has not beaten England as Wallabies coach in five attempts, insisted his squad are ready to step to the challenge.

“They are the world champions, the number one team in the world. They are an experienced, physical side and I know they will lift for Saturday’s Test,” said Jones.

“We know what to expect, we are focused and we have prepared well.”

Australia team to play England in Brisbane on Saturday is:

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/A Freier, D Vickerman, G Smith, C Rathbone, M Henjak, C Latham.