Scrum-half Will Genia will captain an Australian side showing six changes from the one that lost to Ireland in Friday’s Pool C World Cup match against the United States.
In the absence of rested lock James Horwill, Genia will captain a side that has been tweaked by coach Robbie Deans to give most squad members a run-out after the first two matches (a 32-8 win over Italy and 15-6 loss to Ireland).
“We’ve got a big job ahead of us. The United States showed against Ireland that they are a totally committed opponent,” said Genia.
“Our own performance against Ireland, which was not up to the high standards we set for ourselves, will only have offered the Americans further encouragement.”
Genia added: “We just need to get out there and get it done, and that’s pretty much the focus of the whole group. We’re obviously disappointed with last week and want to go out there and make things right.
“It was one poor game. We made poor decisions and the result was we didn’t come away with the good result.
“We worked on things to simplify the decision making.”
There was no place in the starting XV for flanker David Pocock, who is allowed a further game off to rest a problematic back.
James O’Connor joins Pocock on the sidelines with a hamstring strain, his place taken by the experienced Drew Mitchell.
Rob Horne comes in at centre for Pat McCabe, with fly-half Quade Cooper taking over the kicking duties.
Up front, flankers Ben McCalman and Rocky Elsom, hooker Tafatu Polota-Nau and tighthead prop Ben Alexander are the only forwards to have played against Ireland.
Wycliff Palu will start at No 8, with Nathan Sharpe and Rob Simmons providing an all-new lock pairing.
“It’s our second six-day turnaround in a row so we’re looking to freshen things up a bit,” said coach Deans, dismissing claims that the US team were a “tier-two nation”.
“There’s no such thing – they’re playing in the World Cup,” he said. “We are according the USA full respect by opting for the changes we have made in order to have a totally fresh and focused team.”
Deans said he had not been “shocked” by the Ireland result.
“It was not an experience any of us enjoyed. The key for us now is to be the better for it, by heeding the lessons and acting on them,” he said.
“We were poor in decision-making, discipline, around the contact, and without those three components at a World Cup you’re kidding yourself.
“We’re looking for a better perofmrance from our blokes.
“It’s our third game in 13 days. That’s challenging in itself but not an excuse. But we have to build on that and get some confidence.”
Australia:
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Anthony Fainga’a, 12 Rob Horne, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (C), 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Ben McCalman, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Pat McCabe.
Aussies are in panic mode. Though they will have to rest players now going the hard route after losing to Ireland.
1 @ Puma:
Hello Puma…
I do not know what to make of the moves… maybe Deans sees the USA as less of a threat and is giving some who need game time a bit of a run, testing others…
Hi guys. Agree totally, Gbs. Def think Deans doesn’t see USA as a threat, so he can give some guys a rest and maybe, he’s hoping some of these players he’s chosen, show something exceptional. Also, think they got a big wake up, losing to Ireland.
3 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Welcome to Rugby-Talk GoBokkeAndIreland!
Hope you enjoy it here…. we all become friends here, very quickly!
3 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Think I’ll have to find a Nickname for you… like I always do… will call you Groenie (Greenie)… cause both the Bokke and Ireland wear Green.
4 @ Gbs – Glad to hear it. I don’t often have too much to say though. Only found the site today. Like the rules/policies.
5 @ Gbs – dit sal my pas.
6 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Yip, we wanted a hassle-free site…. cut the crap, make this a friendly site.
I suppose you know the history of our departure from Voldy’s (Keo) site.
If not, basically there was just too much shit flying around… and it was severely tiring!
7 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
So jy sit in Slaapstad iewers?
8 & 9 @ Gbs – Yes to both. Hope to find a “nicer” environment to air my views. Live and work in CT CBD.
10 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Groenie…. you a Strompoppie / WP oke?
10 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Air your views… it’ll be good!
Look, one can only talk pure rugby for so long until the topics are exhausted, so we enjoy some general conversation here too… and a few jokes, a bit of banter.
It becomes a community after a while, you’ll see.
11 @ Gbs: LOL – yip – sorry!
13 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
We need some people to educate as well…. hehehe
Actually, some believe we’re a bit heavily loaded with Bulls supporters, so even WP okes are welcome… for a bit more perspective from another point of view.
13 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
How did you find the site? Googled it?
14 @ Gbs: Well, I’ll try and remain polite, and objective – not too easy for most rugby fans, it seems!
Oh – just have to tell you though, I cannot stand Wynand Olivier. Hope that’s okay.
16 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Old Meisiekind pisses me off sometimes too, bit ‘suinig’ and runs too much crash-ball… but he’s been a good servant to Bulls rugby.
About objectivity… one needs to be able to be critical on your own team sometimes and give credit to others when due.
I try to have the eyes open, give credit where due.
15 @ Gbs: It was actually mentioned today on the site you mentioned earlier – most people had positive things to say, so thought I’d check it out.
18 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
It was?
They were positive?
Wel, slaat my met ‘n pap snoek!
It’s been more than 2 years since my last confession on Voldy, father… hehehe
18 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Do you like what you see here on R-T?
Tomorrow we have a live Game Article on the Bokke match… and for EVERY World Cup match… and almost ALL Currie Cup Premier Division matches (except those not broadcast on TV)….
@ 17 – well I have to give credit to Bulls management for buying 3 promising young WP backline stars of the future! How was that allowed to happen!
21 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Had to happen…. WP is loaded with centers, whereas the Bulls have been looking for a No 13 for 4 years.
Bulls also need a quality backup for Morne Steyn…. and JJ Engelbrecht will provide nice depth on the wing.
Tell you what, from what I see about Jacques Potgieter (Blind side flanker bought from the EP Kings), the Bulls have shopped well there too.
@ 19 – Yip, most of the people (the comments I saw) were positive. @ 20 – like the site so far, just gotta get used to it (the layout etc).
@ 22 – Bulls seem to be good at that – spotting young talent and luring them to Loftus! Oh – I also support the Kings, so guess I’m never gonna be the most popular guy around.
23 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
This site, has what they call FLUID WIDTH, what it basically means is that it strethes as wide as your screen allows, and as wide as the resolution your screen is set at.
Most other sites have a fixed width, with wasted space on the sidelines if you have a wide screen… we keep up with technology here.
@ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Hello GBAI welcome here. About our buys from WP , it already have a positive effect in Bulls country. Francios Venter plays good rugby since he heard that Sadie is on his way. Old war horse Akona too, shame this guy is haunted by injuries.I am quite excited by our new lose forwards coming to the fore now replacing the old reliable Kuun and Wanenburg, players who really did their thing for us over many years.
Nouja mense, ek moet gaan inkruip… het gisteraand kwaai sleg geslaap, kannie behoorlik slaap met my Handbriekie innie hospitaal nie…
Gooooooooi Mieliessssssss!
@ grootblousmile:
Haai ou maat hoe gaan dit met handbriekie? Sy weer tuis?
28 @ superBul:
Nee jong, sy is nog daar innie Hospitaal… maar sy baklei al met die nursies, so die fighting spirit is terug… wat beteken sy word mooi beter.
Sy sal seker more kan uitkom…
@ 26 Hi sB. That is 1 good thing about new players being bought/brought into the system – the older guys, or other players who feel threatened, should usually up their game. Hoping something similar happens at WP wrt loose forwards. Alot of guys came into the team now, from Varsity Cup. So after WC and when everyone is fit again, should be some good competition for places.
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