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Full Version: Australia A welcomes Wallabies for Tonga clash
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June 18, 2008 - 11:19am
Story by: ARU

Qantas Wallabies speedster Lachie Turner will start at fullback for Australia A this Sunday
AustraliaAhas named a 22-man team, including seven of the current Qantas Wallabies squad, to play Tonga at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

In a boost to the squad, which recorded victories in Japan and Samoa in the first two rounds of the iRB Pacific Nations Cup, Wallabies Coach Robbie Deans has released seven players, who were not part of the match day squad against the Irish in Melbourne, for Australia A duties.

Wallabies forwards Mark Chisholm, Ben Alexander, Richard Brown and Stephen Hoiles and backs Digby Ioane, Brett Sheehan and Lachie Turner have all been included in Australia A’s first home match of the campaign.

Joining Alexander in the front row is Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu and Queensland Reds hooker Sean Hardman.

Mark Chisholm and Peter Kimlin will form the second row, while Richard Brown, Stephen Hoiles and Wallabies World Cup lock Hugh McMeniman, enjoying his first hit-out since Round 2 of Super 14, make up and impressive back row.

Australia A coach Phil Mooney has opted for an all-Waratahs halves combination with Brett Sheehan at scrumhalf and Sam Norton-Knight at flyhalf.

Captain Morgan Turinui and Timana Tahu resume their combination in the centres, while Digby Ioane and Matt Carraro will patrol the wings.

Lachie Turner will get his chance to press for a Test spot against the French when he lines up at fullback.

The match against the Tongans will also see the return from injury of Wallabies World Cup winger Drew Mitchell, who will start from the bench.

Australia A coachPhil Mooney said the match will provide the Wallabies squad players with valuable game-time and give them the opportunity to push for selection for the two-Test series against France.

“Robbie Deans wants his players to have regular game-time and has released these squad players so they can maintain their match fitness and press for Test selection against France with a strong performance this weekend,” said Mooney.

“Having these players in the Australia A squad has increased the competition for starting places and I’m looking forward to a professional performance against the Tongans on Sunday.”

Mooney also urged Sydneysiders to come down to North Sydney and enjoy some good quality international rugby.

“With so many Wallabies on show as well as some very promising young prospects, we’re hoping to see a good crowd at North Sydney on Sunday afternoon.”

Australia A team to play Tonga

North Sydney Oval

Kick off: 2:00pm

Tickets available through Ticketek on 132 849 or http://www.ticketek.com.au

1. Ben Alexander

2. Sean Hardman

3. Sekope Kepu

4. Mark Chisholm

5. Peter Kimlin

6. Hugh McMeniman

7. Richard Brown

8. Stephen Hoiles

9. Brett Sheehan

10. Sam Norton-Knight

11. Digby Ioane

12. Timana Tahu

13. Morgan Turinui

14. Matt Carraro

15. LachlanTurner

Reserves

16. John Ulugia

17. Guy Shepherdson

18. Al Campbell

19. Julian Salvi

20. Patrick Phibbs

21. Daniel Halangahu

22. Drew Mitchell

The Wallabies who have been released to play for Australia A against Tonga on Sunday June 22 at North Sydney Oval are:Brett Sheehan, Mark Chisholm, Digby Ioane, Ben Alexander, Richard Brown, Stephen Hoiles, Lachlan Turner.

The Australia A program is proudly supported by the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing

And remember – get to North Sydney Oval early on Sunday for the Qantas Wallabies Sydney Fan Day. Your chance to meet the Qantas Wallabies !

The Qantas Wallabies are looking forward to meeting all their fans at North SydneyOval No. 2 this Sunday 22 June between 12.30pm – 1.30pm at the annual Sydney Fan Day.

There will be plenty of activities to enjoy including Rugby Drills and Skills clinics which will be run by the Qantas Wallabies who are on hand to help fine-tune your Rugby skills. You can also test your own try-scoring ability on the Qantas Horizontal Bungee Challenge. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can get a photo with your favourite Qantas Wallabies.

The activities are free, so make sure you bring your family and friends and have some fun with the Qantas Wallabies.

Source: http://rugby.com.au/news/article,90235.html
Australian rugby union coach Robbie Deans has released 14 players to play for their clubs and Australia A this weekend.

Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Dean Mumm and Phil Waugh will play for their Sydney clubs with Western Force centre Ryan Cross turning out for Eastern Suburbs.

Scrum-half Sam Cordingley with play for Brothers in Brisbane.

Seven players have been released to play for Australia A against Tonga at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

The players will join up with the Wallabies squad after the weekend to prepare for the test against France on Saturday week.

Source: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/st...?tab=sport
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