Quade Cooper was left out of Australia’s team for the opening Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand on Saturday, with Berrick Barnes retaining his place and Dave Dennis getting a start.
Cooper has missed Australia’s past five Tests since surgery for a knee injury suffered in the bronze medal showdown at last year’s Rugby World Cup, and missed out again, not even making the bench for the Bledisloe Cup match.
While the Queensland Reds star has played five Super 15 games since returning, coach Robbie Deans said he was not yet fit enough for international duty, but kept the door open.
“Anyone can play a Test, but how well is the thing. Quite obviously he isn’t at the top of his fitness yet,” Deans said. “He has been training with us for two of the three weeks. He has had a couple of club games, which is good. He is working hard. I’ve got no doubt he’ll get an opportunity again, absolutely.”
Cooper’s omission allows Barnes, who was Man of the Match in consecutive Tests against Wales this year, to keep the No10 jersey as fly-half, working outside half-back and newly appointed vice-captain Will Genia. “Berrick played very well through June, so it was pretty straightforward,” Deans said.
A second Test starting role for Dave Dennis, a move from the side to the back of the scrum for Scott Higginbotham and a return to a starting midfield position for Anthony Faingaa represent the only changes to the starting line-up.
Higginbotham, who started at blindside flanker during Australia’s last outing, when they shaded Wales 20-19 in June, takes over from the injured Wycliff Palu at No.8.
That opens the way for Dennis, who made his debut against Scotland in June and then came off the bench during all three Tests against Wales. “He’s been great – he’s very consistent,” Deans said of Dennis.
Coming off two three-day training camps, Deans has opted to run the same backline as in the final Test against Wales, aside from Faingaa slotting in for the injured Pat McCabe.
Wallabies line-up: Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley- Cooper, Rob Horne, Anthony Faingaa, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, David Pocock (captain), Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe, Sitaleki Timani, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Drew Mitchell.
* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.
