KURTLEY BEALE is expected to appear in his customary five-eighth position during the Wallabies' end-of-season tour, while Rod Davies is being given every chance to convince the Australian selectors he should take over a Test wing spot.
When the Wallabies assembled at Erskineville Oval yesterday for their final training camp before leaving for Hong Kong on Saturday for their five-Test northern hemisphere tour, the squad soon broke into two groups. The first group resembled the anticipated line-up to play the All Blacks at Hong Kong Stadium on October 30, with the second group expected to be used in the two midweek tour games against Leicester on November 9 and Munster the following week in Limerick.
The only omission was Matt Giteau, who missed the session because of the effects of a sore tooth. Berrick Barnes took over at inside-centre in the main line-up, outside the Test five-eighth Quade Cooper. The most interesting development was the chief playmaker for the back-up team. Beale, whom the Wallabies have primarily used on the wing or at fullback, spent the whole session at five-eighth with what was basically the second XV contingent. While the training session yesterday indicated that the Wallabies selectors are interested in using Beale as a playmaker at some time during the tour, Beale's Test fullback position is not under threat. It is highly unlikely the selectors would discard him from that spot after his match-winning penalty goal in Bloemfontein last month and his strong performance in the one-point loss to the All Blacks the following week.
Davies, one of seven uncapped players in the touring squad, also spent a great deal of time training with the core of the Test team. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has been wanting to use Davies's pace for some time, but has been thwarted until now due to the Queenslander's lengthy run with injuries. The Wallabies are unlikely to make many changes for the rematch with New Zealand, with the only alteration to the pack expected to be the return of Ben Alexander at tight-head prop for Salesi Ma'afu. The back line will also be largely untouched.
The training was also a get-to-know-you exercise for new halfback, Nick Phipps, who was selected from left field after helping the Australian Sevens team win a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. On arrival in camp, Phipps, who will make his Super rugby debut next season with Melbourne, had to introduce himself to a number of his Wallabies teammates.
''The training was definitely a step up from what I'm used to,'' Phipps said at the end of the session. ''I was pretty nervous on the bus coming out here. But it was exciting when the guys started to help me out, and I relaxed into it. And when surrounded by some of the best players in Australia, I really started to enjoy it.''
Australian Sevens captain Pat McCutcheon's Wallabies selection has prompted a dramatic change of plans. He had intended to have a short holiday, after returning from Delhi, before helping out on his family's farm, near Narromine.
''I've had three days at home, regrouped, washed my clothes, packed another bag and am now on the travels again,'' McCutcheon said.
At least McCutcheon knew the bulk of the faces, as he had trained with the Wallabies before, while he and No.8 Ben McCalman go way back.
The pair began playing together in the Macquarie Emus under 10s, having been, as McCutcheon explained, bush neighbours ''by a couple of hundred kilometres''.
