Dennis handed Test debut

Dave Dennis will finally earn his Test cap tomorrow night after being selected in the Wallabies side to face Scotland.  A part of the 2009 and 2011 Spring Tours, the outstanding 27-year-old flanker was also involved in last year’s domestic training squad, performing impressively from No 8 in Australia’s record breaking 60-11 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham last November.

 

Carrying that good form over into this season’s FxPro Super Rugby competition, Dennis is one of three HSBC Waratahs to be named in the starting side by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, with flyhalf Berrick Barnes and towering lock Sitaleki Timani also selected for the opening Test of the 2012 season-opening Test in Newcastle tomorrow night. 

 

The trio are among just five of the starting XV for the Castrol EDGE Rugby International that will be called upon to back up tomorrow night, with most of the squad selected from franchises to have byes in last weekend’s FxPro Super Rugby competition.

 

Included among the replacements, Adam Ashley-Cooper is the only bench player to make the three-day turnaround, although four others were involved on Friday night.

 

“We looked at all the options around each position, in terms of the relative workloads each of the players have already had this year, the amount of preparation we were able to have with them before the game, and their ability to back up off a tight turnaround, before settling on the final combination,” Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.

 

Dennis is among five players in the run-on side who make their Test debuts.  Applauded for his form throughout the season, the powerful back rower has also demonstrated his versatility.  Having played the majority of the season at blind-side flanker, he has also been called upon at No. 8 and packed down in the second row when needed.

 

Like Tongan-born Sitaleki Timani, who wins his second Test cap, a number of the squad are relatively inexperienced at Test level and Deans says Barnes’ experience, his recent play in the position for the HSBC Waratahs, and his background with the bulk of the group, would be critical assets for the side given the short preparation time.  Barnes last played flyhalf for the Wallabies during the 21-18 win in the Bronze Final against Wales at last year’s Rugby World Cup, taking over in the position inside of the opening quarter after Cooper was forced off with ruptured knee ligaments.

 

Also crucial to the team’s preparation, Deans recognised the co-operation of HSBC Waratahs Head Coach Michael Foley and the other franchises in  releasing their players for a day of preparation with the team, in the week leading up to last Saturday’s FxPro Super Rugby match.

 

“We appreciated the actions of the franchises that played matches this weekend releasing their players for a day last week,” Deans says.

 

With three more Tests to prepare for later in the month, seven other HSBC Waratahs (Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota Nau, Sekope Kepu, Wycliff Palu, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley and Kane Douglas will accompany the match-night Qantas Wallabies squad to Newcastle, whilst the rest of the NSW squad will make the most of a week’s active rest before resuming their FxPro Super Rugby preparations.   

 

In the absence of Wallabies captain James Horwill, 23-year-old flanker David Pocock will captain the side that will take on the Scots the Hopetoun Cup.  Having been involved in the upset 8-9 loss to Scotland at the most recent meeting between the two nations at Edinburgh in 2009, Ashley-Cooper will be well aware of the threat that Andy Robinson’s men pose. 

 

Scotland’s victory snapped a 16-game losing run against Australia, while also securing the Scots the Hopetoun Cup for the first time.

 

The match sees Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium debut as a Test venue.  The city becomes just the seventh in Australia to host a Qantas Wallabies Test match and Deans recently praised the Hunter and northern NSW region.  “I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a bit of time up in the Hunter region, and on the northern New South Wales coast, this year and the locals are excited by the opportunity to host this match, and are looking forward to it. We’ll be aiming to mirror that enthusiasm on the field!”

 

 

15. Luke Morahan            (Queensland Reds)

14. Joe Tomane                (Brumbies)

13. Anthony Fainga’a       (Queensland Reds)

12. Mike Harris                  (Queensland Reds)

11. Digby Ioane                 (Queensland Reds)

9. Will Genia                      (Queensland Reds)

8. Scott Higginbotham    (Queensland Reds)

7. David Pocock                (captain, Western Force)

5. Nathan Sharpe              (Western Force)

3. Dan Palmer                    (Brumbies)

2. Stephen Moore            (Brumbies)

1. James Slipper                (Queensland Reds)

 

16. Saia Fainga’a              (Queensland Reds)

17. Ben Alexander            (Brumbies)

18. Rob Simmons              (Queensland Reds)

19. Michael Hooper         (Brumbies)

20. Nick Phipps                 (Melbourne Rebels)

21. Pat McCabe                (Brumbies)

 

Ends