Australia coach John Connolly has left prop Greg Holmes out of a 25-man squad for next month’s Tri-Nations Test in South Africa, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said on Thursday.
Holmes will stay at home to rest after starting all eight of the Wallabies’ Tests in 2006. His place was taken by Benn Robinson.
Winger Drew Mitchell and prop Guy Shepherdson were also recalled after missing the last Test against New Zealand.
”By resting Greg from the Test we will be able to give him an early start on a training programme and provide an opportunity for Benn Robinson to compete for a place in the team,” Australia coach John Connolly said in a statement.
”The front row selections have been very close this year and we’ve been very conscious of broadening our squad ahead of the World Cup,” he said.
Australia will spend a week in Johannesburg preparing for the Test at Ellis Park on September 9.
”We’ve only won two Tests in South Africa since they came back into Test rugby [in 1992] so we have an enormous challenge ahead of us,” Connolly said.
”The players are very keen to end the Tri-Nations on a positive note and build towards the end of year tour with a win in South Africa.”
New Zealand have already sealed the Tri-Nations title. – Reuters
Australia’s team: Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Mark Chisholm, Rocky Elsom, Scott Fava, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, George Gregan (captain), Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Tai McIsaac, Drew Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (vice captain), Wycliff Palu, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Benn Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Dan Vickerman (vice captain), Phil Waugh.