CAPE TOWN, 28 July 2005 — Coach Eddie Jones made four changes in the Australian team for the opening Tri-Nations match against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday.
Prop Matt Dunning, lock Dan Vickerman, back rower John Roe and centre Morgan Turinui were promoted from the bench following Saturday’s 33-20 defeat in a Mandela Challenge match.
Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm and Stirling Mortlock drop to the bench while flanker Rocky Elsom is left out of the 22-man squad.
Jones said the changes were due in part to the deficiencies exposed at Ellis Park.
“A couple of the forwards are a little bit fatigued,” said Jones. “Rocky Elsom and Marck Chisholm are in their first full seasons of test rugby and we feel they are just coming off their game a little bit.
“Matt (Dunning) did very well when he came on last week and Morgan and Stirling have had an in-and-out battle for the number 13 spot all season.”
Jones said the fall-out from the Matt Henjak affair had been a distraction but his side had prepared well. Scrumhalf Henjak was sent home and fined A$500 (US$385) for breaching team rules. Wingers Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Dunning were also disciplined after an incident in a bar.
Team: Australia: 15-Chris Latham; 14-Wendell Sailor, 13-Morgan Turinui, 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Lote Tuqiri; 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-George Gregan (captain); 8-David Lyons, 7-George Smith, 6-John Roe, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-Dan Vickerman, 3-Mat Dunning, 2-Jeremy Paul, 1-Bill Young.
Replacements: 16-Stephen Moore, 17-Al Baxter, 18-Mark Chisholm, 19-Phil Waugh, 20-Chris Whitaker, 21-Stirling Mortlock, 22-Drew Mitchell.
