News

Wallaby teen to face Baa-baas

Tuesday 02nd December 2008

James O'Connor: Set to start against the Barbarians

Wallabies rookie James O'Connor will start against the Barbarians at London's Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, after being named in coach Robbie Deans' starting line-up for the last match of a grueling six-match tour.

The 18-year-old will run out in the number fifteen jersey following his first cap against Italy where he debuted from the bench and became the second youngest player to play for Australia.

Wednesday's match does not carry Test status but was organised to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Australia's gold medal in rugby at the 1908 London Olympics.

George Smith takes over the captaincy from Stirling Mortlock, who joined a heavy casualty list that includes Matt Giteau and Nathan Sharpe after Australia's 21-18 loss to Wales last weekend.

The Barbarians have traditionally fielded one uncapped player in major matches, and the Wallabies have followed suit with the naming of the Brumbies lock Peter Kimlin among the reserves.

A replacement for injured lock James Horwill from the original touring party, Kimlin will play his first, albeit non-cap, match for the Wallabies if called into action.

Deans has also given hooker Stephen Moore, winger Peter Hynes and props Al Baxter and Benn Robinson a well deserved rest.

Giteau and Moore were the only two players who featured in all 14 Tests in 2008, while Mortlock, Baxter and Hynes missed just one match each.

Winger Lote Tuqiri makes his long awaited return to the starting XV after working his way back to full fitness following knee surgery at the conclusion of the Tri-Nations.

In the absence of Giteau, Quade Cooper takes over at fly-half.

Australia: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Lote Tuqiri, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 George Smith, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 David Pocock, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Lachie Turner, 22 Drew Mitchell.

Date: Wednesday, 3 December
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Referee: Chris White (England)
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England), Steve Terheege (England)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)