AUSTRALIA

Cross in for dazed Mortlock

Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Confidence in converts: Former League players Ryan Cross (left) and Timana Tahu set to take on the All Blacks

George Smith will lead the Wallabies in a line-up that features just one change for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand in Sydney.

Smith has taken over the captaincy for the Tri-Nations match after regular custodian Stirling Mortlock was ruled out due to the effects of the head knock he sustained last weekend against South Africa.

Smith, who turned 28 last week, has been captain of his country on one previous occasion. He became Australia's 75th Test captain when he led the Wallabies to victory over Canada at Bordeaux during last year's Rugby World Cup.

Mortlock's absence opens the way for Western Force centre Ryan Cross to make his starting debut.

The 28-year-old previously came from the reserves bench in the first three Test appearances of his career to date, earlier in the season against France and then South Africa.

Cross scored two tries in the second of these matches, which was against France at Brisbane.

While his presence represents the only change from the starting XV which opened this year's Tri-Nations series with a gritty 16-9 win over South Africa in Perth last Saturday, there are also two alterations to the Australian bench.

The Cross promotion has allowed for the entry of Timana Tahu into the Test squad after his strong form for Australia A in recent the Pacific Nations Cup.

He will now become the 827th player to have appeared for Australia in Tests should he be required in the match.

The other new inclusion is Waratahs star Daniel Vickerman. Selection for the South African-born lock on the bench completes the 29-year-old's return from an ankle injury which has kept him sidelined since the Super 14 final at the end of May.

Vickerman takes the place of Hugh McMeniman among the run on reserves after safely negotiating his way through two club matches with Sydney University in recent weeks.

Deans has no doubt that the former Sydney Rooster Cross is up to the occasion.

"I think Ryan's shown you what a good footballer he is, he's going to be very excited about the opportunity he's got," Deans said on Wednesday.

"I don't know that we'll miss a lot, he's got a good background now, he's been preparing for us for close to two months so he's well versed and he's perfectly able."

"It's never about individuals in these competitions it's about how we bring collectively what we've got to the table."

Cross, despite playing well in each of his four appearances off the bench, was surprised to be picked even though he knew Mortlock was struggling for fitness.

"I didn't really see it coming," Cross admitted.

"I thought Stirling might pull through but when I got the news yesterday I was more amazed than anything. It is a big thrill to play against the All Blacks."

Deans was also quizzed on the claims of scrum-time cheating made by Steve Hansen and John Drake earlier in the week, but handed off any conversation on the matter firmly.

"I think we are very consistent in what we do," he said when asked about Burgess.

"All you seek is consistency in the game. And if we get that, we will get a good contest.

"And both sides are pretty similar to that end. But yeah... no, there's been enough said about it."

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Daniel Vickerman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Timana Tahu, 22 Drew Mitchell.

Date: Saturday, July 26
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20:05 (10:05 BST)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence, James Bolabiu
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman
Assessor: Steve Hilditch