Strong Australian team announced

A full strength Wallaby team was announced to face the Boks on Saturday at Newlands.

Knuckles Connolly and Michael Foley talked about some of the selections and preparations for the game in general.

John Connolly on Drew Mitchell:

“He’s tightened up his game significantly. He’s always been a good player from 25 metres out, but the other aspects of his game have improved over the last six months.

“Playing at 15 has also helped him to develop his wing-play. His form at the breakdown has also been good. Overall, he’s a good footballer and has always been dangerous with ball in hand, but we are starting to see him perform in other departments as well.”

John Connolly on the Wallaby preparations:

“We’ve worked really hard in the build up to this game and everything is running smoothly, especially on defence. A few players have come in now as we have rotated the squad but there has been no trouble in adapting to the changes.

“We’re not thinking past this game. We came to South Africa to win and that is all we are focusing on for the moment.”

Michael Foley on the Bok forwards:

“Juan Smith and Pierre Spies have also grown in stature in the line-out,” he said. “We’re not too far off either, with Rocky Elsom and Cliff Palu developing well over the last season.

“South Africa utilise the line-out as their primary platform of attack, their No 1 strength, which is not surprising considering how superb Matfield is in this area. He just covers so much space and makes it so much easier for the players around him.

“Bakkies is also a good option in the line-out, but is very busy around the park. He is a good scrummager and ball carrier, and is one of those real in-your-face players.”

The Australian team and their Bok opponents:

01. Matt Dunning – Gurthro Steenkamp
02. Stephen Moore – John Smit (Capt)
03. Guy Shepherdson – BJ Botha
04. Nathan Sharpe – Bakkies Botha
05. Dan Vickerman – Victor Matfield
06. Rocky Elsom – Schalk Burger
07. George Smith – Juan Smith
08. Wycliff Palu – Pierre Spies

09. George Gregan – Ruan Pienaar
10. Stephen Larkham – Butch James
11. Lote Tuqiri – Ashwin Willemse
12. Matt Giteau – Jean De Villiers
13. Stirling Mortlock (Capt) – Jaque Fourie
14. Drew Mitchell – JP Pietersen
15. Julian Huxley – Percy Montgomery

The Replacements:

16. Adam Freier – Gary Botha
17. Al Baxter – CJ van der Linde
18. Mark Chisholm – Johann Muller
19. Stephen Hoiles – Michael Claassens
20. Phil Waugh (vc) – Danie Rossouw
21. Adam Ashley-Cooper – Wynand Olivier
22. Mark Gerrard – Frans Steyn