TNT Sports
Wallabies blood youth
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Published 08/06/2006 at 07:54 GMT+1
Australia will go into the first test against England on Sunday with theri most inexperienced front row for 23 years. Prop Rodney Blake and hooker Tai McIsaac maketheri debuts for the Wallabies against the World Champions, and prop Greg Holmes has made just three test appearances.
Eurosport
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Australia will go into the first test against England on Sunday with their most inexperienced front row for 23 years. Prop Rodney Blake and hooker Tai McIsaac make their debuts for the Wallabies against the world champions, and prop Greg Holmes has made just three test appearances.
Rocky Elson was chosen at number eight and flanker Daniel Heenan starts his first international in preference to the experienced Phil Waugh.
"It's a team that's picked very much on form, but a number of positions are still unclear," coach John Connolly said in a statement after naming his first Australia team.
"Front row, hooker and the back row positions are very competitive but it's a great chance for the players who have been selected to put their hands up and show that they are capable of retaining those spots."
Australia's front row suffered a rough ride in their last test against England at Twickenham in November, prompting Connolly to turn to the 23-year-old Blake, Holmes, 22, and McIsaac, who makes his international debut at the age of 31.
"We've certainly taken a step in the right direction with our scrummaging but we will continue to evolve it," Connolly said.
Prop Al Baxter, who started the last test against England, and hooker Jeremy Paul, who has played in 63 internationals, were named on the replacements' bench.
"We feel that we've selected the best combination for the front row but it was very close," Connolly added.
The front row is Australia's most inexperienced since Mark Harding, Mark McBain and John Coolican lined up against Italy in 1983 with one test appearance between them.
Heenan won his only Australia cap as a replacement against Wales in 2003 and the versatile Mat Rogers will start an international at inside centre for the first time.
Scrumhalf George Gregan will captain the side in his record-equalling 119th test.
Australia team: 15-Chris Latham, 14-Mark Gerrard, 13-Stirling Mortlock, 12-Mat Rogers, 11-Lote Tuqiri; 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-George Gregan (captain); 8-Rocky Elsom, 7-George Smith, 6-Daniel Heenan, 5-Dan Vickerman, 4-Nathan Sharpe, 3-Rodney Blake, 2-Tai McIsaac, 1-Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16-Jeremy Paul, 17-Al Baxter, 18-Mark Chisholm, 19-Phil Waugh, 20-Josh Valentine, 21-Clyde Rathbone, 22-Cameron Shepherd.
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