JOHN Eales has been confirmed as captain of the Australian team to face Romania in their opening World Cup match in Belfast on Sunday. Eales has fully recovered from a shoulder injury, and finds himself back in the Wallaby starting line-up for the first time this year.
Eales will be partnered in the second row by David Giffin in an Australian team otherwise unchanged from that which beat New Zealand for the Bledisloe Cup last month. Coach Rod Macqueen said Eales’ presence has boosted the Australian morale. “Theres no question about what John brings to this side. I think all Australians will be thrilled to see him back on the paddock in the gold jersey,” said Macqueen.
The Australian team:
Matthew Burke; Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert, Tim Horan, Jason Little; Rod Kafer, George Gregan (vice-capt); Toutai Kefu, David Wilson, Matt Cockbain, John Eales (capt), David Giffin, Andrew Blades, Phil Kearns, Richard Harry
Reserves: Joe Roff, Nathan Grey, Chris Whitaker, Tiaan Strauss, Owen Finegan, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul. –AFP