Australia make three changes for South Africa Test
Saturday, 28 September 2013 00:00
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Cape Town (AFP): Australia have made three personnel changes and one positional to the starting line-up for a Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Cape Town Saturday.
Outside centre Tevita Kuridrani, left-wing Joe Tomane and lock James Horwill come into the side after an unimpressive 14-13 win over Argentina this month.
The trio replace suspended James O’Connor, injured Nick Cummins and out-of-favour Kane Douglas, who does not even make the bench.
Horwill regains the captaincy from No. 8 Ben Mowen after recovering from a hamstring strain that sidelined him for the past two Championship matches. The Springboks will be wary of Kuridrani, who broke Northern Bulls’ hearts with a late match-winning try for the Brumbies in a Super 15 semi-final this season.
A positional switch sees Adam Ashley-Cooper, who played outside centre against Los Pumas in Perth, accommodate Kuridrani by moving to the right wing.
Chris Feauai-Sautia is promoted to the bench in place of Kuridrani and senior prop Benn Robinson replaces Scott Sio in the other change among the replacements.
Australia are seeking a first Test victory in Cape Town since 1992 and revenge for a 38-12 battering from the Springboks in Brisbane this month.
Experienced hooker Stephen Moore says the Wallabies must stand up physically if they are to upset the title ambitions of the Springboks. “When they talk about playing us, they are talking about bashing us physically and not too much outside of that,” he told reporters in Cape Town.
“They are talking about field position, getting penalties, building a score with Morne Steyn, a very accurate goal-kicker. When they get into our half, they are going to look to drive when the opportunity arises. The game plan will be simple, and they do it quite well.”
Title-holders New Zealand top the table on 18 points with two rounds left. South Africa have 14 points, Australia four and Argentina two.
