Gregan to equal record and link up with Rogers at flyhalf
Wallaby captain and scrumhalf George Gregan will equal England prop Jason Leonard's record of 114 Test caps
for his country and link up with Mat Rogers at flyhalf, when he leads Australia onto Eden Park in Saturday's
final Tri Nations Test against New Zealand.
Gregan will lead a side with five personnel changes, including three debutants in Alex Kanaar, Lachlan
MacKay and Lloyd Johansson, as well five positional changes to the staring lineup from the last Test against
South Africa in Perth.
In the second row, Mark Chisholm joins one of two vice captains Nathan Sharpe, in the absence of the
injured Daniel Vickerman, with Kanaar coming into the reserves, while George Smith will start at Number 8
linking up with Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom in the backrow and John Roe returning to the bench.
With Rogers starting at flyhalf for the first time, newly named vice captain, Morgan Turinui will start at
inside centre with Clyde Rathbone at outside and Lote Tuqiri, Mark Gerrard and Drew Mitchell making up the
back three.
Reserve inside back Lachlan MacKay has been selected in the Wallaby 22 for the first time, as well as
utility back Lloyd Johansson, while hooker Adam Freier has been named in the Test team for the first time this
year.
Wallabies Coach Eddie Jones says with four new players, and blokes in new positions the enthusiasm at
training has been fantastic.
"The blokes have worked really hard over the last five days and have come together well," said Jones.
"There's been plenty of enthusiasm and add that to George equaling Leonard's record and you have a pretty
good combination of experience and youth."
With regular Number 10s Stephen Larkham, Matt Giteau and Elton Flatley all unavailable due to injury, Jones
says Rogers is the right player to start at flyhalf.
"It was a tough decision between Matty Rogers and Lachie MacKay at flyhalf, but we believe Mat has the
passing and kicking skills we need to start the game, and he can also take the ball to the line," said Jones.
"Lachie and Lloyd Johansson have both worked hard since joining the squad in camp last week and are ready
to play Test rugby."
The Wallabies will depart Coffs Harbour for Auckland tomorrow, and will finalise preparations for
Saturday's Test with a training run at Eden Park on Friday.
Bledisloe Cup, Tri-Nations 2005 - Match 6
New Zealand vs Australia
Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday 3 September
Kick Off: 7:35pm local (3:35pm WA, 5:35pm EST)
Referee: Chris White (England).
TV: Channel 7 (check local guides) and Fox Sports Two (live nationally)
Wallabies
(Australian Test No. 448)
Front Row:
1. Bill Young, 3. Al Baxter, 17. Matt Dunning
Hookers:
2. Brendan Cannon, 16. Adam Freier
Locks:
4. Mark Chisholm, 5. Nathan Sharpe (vc), 18. Alex Kanaar*
Back Row:
6. Rocky Elsom, 7. Phil Waugh, 8. George Smith, 19. John Roe
Halves:
9. George Gregan (c), 10. Mat Rogers
Centres:
12. Morgan Turinui (vc), 13. Clyde Rathbone, 20. Chris Whitaker, 21. Lachlan MacKay*
Wingers:
11. Lote Tuqiri, 14. Mark Gerrard
Full Backs:
15. Drew Mitchell, 22. Lloyd Johansson*
23rd Man: Scott Fava
Coach: Eddie Jones
Note: Starting Line-up - No. 1-15 Reserves - 16-22.
Nic Henderson will also travel with the team to New Zealand.
KEY:
(c) Captain
(vc) Vice Captain
* First time selected in a Wallaby 22
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