The return of NSW Waratahs No 8 Wycliff Palu and the selection of the 21-year-old Queensland Reds halfback Will Genia highlight the 30-man Qantas Wallabies squad named today to contest the Bundaberg Rum Tri Nations Series.
This pair takes the places of Lote Tuqiri and Josh Valentine respectively from the squad which completed the first phase of the international season.
The selectors have opted for a 17-13 split between forwards and backs within the group.
“If you look at the competition from an historical perspective, and more particularly look at the pointers from our experience last year; it is in the forward pack where our resources are most likely to come under stress,” Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says.
“With that in mind, and given the nature of playing resources that we have available to us at the moment in terms of players who we feel are capable at this level; we felt that a 17-13 split was the most appropriate mix for this tournament.”
The selection of Genia, who joins the Western Force loose forward Matt Hodgson as an uncapped member of the squad, had been flagged after the Investec Super 14.
His selection at that point was only prevented by the injury he sustained during a two-try performance playing against the Brumbies in Brisbane.
Genia tore a tendon in his finger. He has now resumed passing and, while still to play on his return, is expected to be available when the tournament kicks off in two weeks.
“Had Will been available for our first squad, we would have selected him,” Deans says.
“His absence gave Josh Valentine an opportunity to be involved, and gain experience within our group which is important in terms of broadening our halfback depth but, now that Will is ready to get started, it is an appropriate time to bring him in.”
Deans says Genia, who was born in Papua New Guinea but represented Australia at last year’s Under-20 World Cup, still has major scope for improvement in his game.
“We were impressed by what we saw of his work with the Reds, and believe that he is only going to get better with time and opportunity to develop his game within our framework,” Deans says.
Palu hasn’t played for Australia since last year’s Spring Tour win over France in Paris.
He was forced to return home after that match for a shoulder operation, and has subsequently been troubled by two separate broken bones in his left hand, although those injuries failed to prevent him from appearing in all 13 matches played by the NSW Waratahs during the Super 14.
The 26-year-old, who has 28 Tests to his name, made his playing return at club level for Manly recently.
“Cliff is in the same position as Will, in that he would have been selected in our initial squad had he been available,” Deans says.
“Now that he’s good to go, we’re pleased to have him back.”
His inclusion reinforces a loose forward unit that has been further bolstered by the return from a shoulder injury of Hodgson, who was forced from the field 40 minutes into his debut against the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium last month.
Hodgson is expected to be available for selection for the Tri Nations opener although Rocky Elsom, who is resting a bruised bone around his knee, may not be able to be considered until Australia’s trip to South Africa at the end of the month.
“He’s making progress but we won’t look at getting Rocky started again until he is ready,” Deans says.
Deans says the decision to enter the tournament with nine players capable of featuring among the loose forwards, which includes utility forwards Dean Mumm and Peter Kimlin, reflected both an awareness of the traditionally high rate of attrition in this area, but also the uncertainty over the pre-tournament preparation for Hodgson and Elsom in particular.
This year sees the 14th edition of the annual three-nation tournament, which the All Blacks won last year.
Australia, which has previously captured the title in 2000 and 2001, opens its campaign in New Zealand on 18 July when the Qantas Wallabies tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park.
History underlines what a demanding start to the competition it will be as Australia last won at the ground in 1986.
New Zealand has won the last 10 trans-Tasman Tests in Auckland, and has not been defeated at Eden Park by any country since France prevailed in 1994, 20-matches ago.
The Auckland visit also heralds the start of the annual Bledisloe Cup rivalry, which for a second year will stretch beyond the Tri-Nations tournament, concluding with the historic trans-Tasman Test match in Tokyo on 31 October.
The Wallabies must win three of the four Tests against the All Blacks to relieve the New Zealanders of the trophy, which Australia hasn’t held since it was surrendered to an All Black team co-coached by the current Qantas Wallabies mentor in 2003.
The Bledisloe Cup was first contested by Australia and New Zealand in 1931.
Australia’s second Tri Nations fixture takes the side to Cape Town where it will attempt to repeat last year’s historic 27-15 victory over the Springboks at Durban.
That win, which was the Wallabies’ second over the Springboks in last year’s tournament, secured for Australia the Nelson Mandela Trophy, which was first established for annual competition between the two countries nine years ago.
It was also the Wallabies’ first win in 15 away Tri Nations matches dating back to 2001 and Australia’s first success on South African soil for eight years.
The home leg of the tournament takes place during a demanding three-week period from 22 August where Australia hosts the defending Tri Nations champions New Zealand at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, before facing the reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa, back-to-back in Perth and then Brisbane.
Last year, the title rested on the final match of the schedule between Australia and New Zealand. The two traditional rivals are penciled in for the final tie again this year, with the match at Wellington being the 159th Test between the two countries.
