Deans eyes Shepherd for Tri-Nations return
* Bret Harris
* From: The Australian
* July 05, 2010 12:00AM
FORMER Wallabies fullback Cameron Shepherd is being considered for a recall to the national squad for the upcoming Tri- Nations series.
Shepherd was Test coach Robbie Deans's first-choice fullback when Australia beat Ireland in Melbourne in 2008, but a succession of injuries has kept him out since then.
However, Deans attended Sydney club Northern Suburbs' match with West Harbour at North Sydney Oval on Saturday afternoon to watch Shepherd play.
Deans was also interested in watching West Harbour's former Wallabies prop Rodney Blake, who has returned from a stint with French club Biarritz.
Playing at fullback, Shepherd scored two tries in an outstanding performance in Norths' 37-24 win.
Deans will now have to decide whether Shepherd's form warranted his inclusion in the 30-man Tri-Nations squad, which will be announced on Thursday. The Wallabies have a need for some bigger backs and the 189cm and 104kg Shepherd could fit the bill.
Deans contacted Shepherd last week to find out whether he was playing for Norths.
Shepherd was one of 16 Western Force players booked on the "red-eye" flight from Perth to Sydney at midnight following the Super rugby team's awards dinner last Friday night and was originally selected to sit on the reserves' bench for Norths.
After speaking to Deans, Shepherd received permission from the Force to miss the awards dinner and flew out at lunchtime on Friday so he would be fresh for the game.
Shepherd also asked Norths coach Graham O'Donnell to start him so he would have more opportunity to impress Deans.
"Shep played really well," O'Donnell said. "We took him off with 15 minutes to go because he had flown over to Perth and back and his legs were a bit weary.
"But he was outstanding. We gave him licence at the back and he stepped up. He kicked and defended well. It was just a good all-round game."
Shepherd, who is being chased by the Melbourne Rebels, only played four of the Force's last five games this season after sustaining a quadriceps injury in the warm-up before the opening match of the season against the Brumbies in Perth.
But Deans may include the strapping fullback in the Wallabies squad.
Shepherd can also play on the wing and kick goals, particularly from long range.
NSW Waratahs wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner are not guaranteed to retain their spots in the 30-man squad following the in-bound Tests against England and Ireland.
Mitchell played poorly in the Wallabies' 21-20 loss to England in Sydney and 22-15 win against Ireland in Brisbane. However, he performed brilliantly in Randwick's 35-24 win against Sydney University at Coogee Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Turner did not play in the Tests and has joined the Australian sevens squad to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, indicating he will not figure in the Tri-Nations.
The selection of Shepherd on the wing for the Wallabies would allow Deans to keep James O'Connor at fullback and move Adam Ashley-Cooper from the wing to the midfield.
The ARU's investigation into the behaviour of Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale is expected to be concluded in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Beale faces a fine of up to $10,000 for allegedly urinating in a Brisbane street after the Wallabies' win against Ireland.
It is unlikely the misconduct would preclude Beale's selection in the Wallabies squad for the Tri-Nations.
