Burgess and Hynes to make Wallabies debuts

Luke Burgess and Peter Hynes will make their Australia Test debuts against Ireland in Melbourne on Saturday after Robbie Deans announced his first team selection as coach.

Uncapped pair Ryan Cross and Dean Mumm could also make their maiden appearances after being named as replacements.

Scrum-half Burgess, 24, trained strongly in partnership with Matt Giteau on Tuesday and edged veteran Sam Cordingley for the role.

Hynes, who scored five tries for the Queensland Reds in the recently-completed Super 14 campaign, will play on the wing.

Deans said the inexperienced quartet earned their selection on late-season form.

“We said when we selected our initial squad that we saw all of the players as being ready to go, and our selection of four new caps today follows through on that philosophy,” Dean said.

“We’ve been impressed with the attitude and the enthusiasm that all of the players have brought into camp. It wasn’t an easy side to pick.”

Deans has stuck with only 10 of the starting XV from the side which went down to England in last year’s World Cup quarter-final.

Cameron Shepherd was given the nod to play at full-back, with Adam Ashley-Cooper covering the position from the bench.

Queensland hooker Stephen Moore has been paired in the front row alongside New South Wales props Benn Robinson and Matt Dunning.

Second rower James Horwill continued his rapid rise with the 22-year-old named to partner Nathan Sharpe in the second row.

Brumbies flanker George Smith has narrowly won the battle with Phil Waugh to start and has been named on the openside while veteran Stirling Mortlock will captain the team.

New Zealander Deans said he was looking forward to beginning a new era in Australian rugby.

“Saturday night is the starting point for us as a group,” he said. “It is an opportunity we’re all looking forward to.

“As they showed last weekend in Wellington (against New Zealand), the Irish can be a difficult opponent to play, and they have historically troubled Australia.

“They’re an experienced unit, with some world class players in the form of the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell, who are up there with the best individuals in the game.”

Australia: Cameron Shepherd; Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri; Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Wycliff Palu.

Replacements: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper.