Australians strike winds of change

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 48

Australians strike winds of change

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

The winds of change are taking place in Australian rugby selections at about the same time that New Zealand has become becalmed in its settlement of the All Black test XV.

The New Zealand team to defend the Bledisloe Cup against Australia at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday would almost certainly have been that which last beat the Wallabies at Sydney, 30-9, on July 30 last year had it not been for the cruel injury to Michael Jones in the second test against Argentina last Saturday. Ruptured ligaments in the right knee and subsequent surgery have brought a premature end to Jones' test career this season. Had he been fit the New Zealand team would most probably have been the same XV which has played the last six tests.

But whereas the New Zealand coach, Alex Wyllie, and his fellow selectors, Lane Penn and John Hart, have stayed with the tried and true, the Australian selectors have decided to take risks in light of the recent test series loss to the British Lions.

Three new test caps have been included in the revamped Australian team to meet the All Blacks and only eight of the Wallabies were in the original selection which lost the third test to New Zealand last year.

Those survivors are Andy Mclntyre, Simon Poidevin, Steve Cutler and Jeff Miller in the forwards; Nick Farr-Jones, Lloyd Walker, lan Williams and David Campese in the backs. As well Michael Lynagh came on as a replacement for the fullback, Andrew Leeds.

The wholesale change of the front row surprised Mr Wyllie, however. He is a staunch believer of a scrum attaining its strength and stability through the qualities of its front row.

“But if it works they’ll be more than pleased,” he commented. And it might well be that the Australian front row will be less troublesome than the first three packed down by the French and Argentinians this season. The most radical

changes have taken place in the front row, a place -for hardened men well versed in the techniques of scrummaging, with Australia introducing an unknown and youthful loosehead prop, Tony Daly, and an equally little-known hooker, Philip Kearns. Tim Horan, at centre — a player with a reputation for stout defence — is the third test newcomer. Trying two newcomers in a test match against the proven New Zealand front row of Steve McDowell, Sean Fitzpatrick and Richard Loe seems something of a gamble, although. the Wallabies lacked mobility in the forwards against the British Lions, and Daly and Kearns can be expected to display the enthusiasm of youth about the field. The Australian team is:— Greg Martin; lan Williams, Tom Horan, David Campese; Lloyd Walker, Michael Lynagh; Nick Farr-Jones (captain); Steve Tuynman; Jeff Miller, Bill Campbell, Steve Cutler, Simon Poidevin; Andy Mclntyre, Philip Kearns, Tony Daly. Reserves. — Backs: Peter , Slattery, Brad Girvan, Marty Roebuck. Forwards: Tim Gavin, Dan Crowley, Mark Mcßain.

The Australian captain, Farr-Jones, commented yesterday that the enthusiasm of the new test trio would over-ride its inexperience in the Bledisloe Cup test.

“I remember when I first pulled on a green-

and-gold jersey — my enthusiasm was high and they’ll have it too. And plenty of enthusiasm is what we need to beat New Zealand.” Farr-Jones admitted that he knew little of the newcomers, according to an Australian Associated Press report. “I don’t know much about Daly and I’ve only heard about Horan and the raps they have on him,” he said. Daly was unable to make the New South Wales A or B team against the British Lions. The inexperience of the front row was compounded by the choice of Kearns, aged 22, over Mcßain.

“Sure it’s a new look side but I have every confidence in the selectors,” Farr-Jones said. “It should be very interesting.”

Walker, one of the more experienced Wallabies, breathed a sigh of relief when he heard he was in the starting lineup. “Every spot was under threat and even when it got down to a squad I was still worried — I’m just happy to be there.”

Walker sees himself taking on a dual role against the All Blacks after a gruelling, series with the Lions. “I’ve got to get our backline into gear and make sure we move forward. I’ve got to stay on my feet to put runners through gaps, that’s a high priority. We have to nullify the All Blacks’ great roll forward and we can only do that with good early ball possession and fierce tackling.”

Walker said the Australian forwards held the key to the game. “We need the enthusiasm we had in the first test against the Lions — tests are won in the forwards,” he said. “I think it’s good we have new, young blokes who aren’t overly impressed by All Black reputations.

“But we all have to tackle — put them down like the Argentinians did on the week-end ... and without getting over cocky.” ■