For the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup quarter-final match against the Springboks this Sunday in Wellington, Pat McCabe will take up the position of inside centre.
Squad for the Wallabies vs. Springboks
- Sekope Kepu
- Stephen Moore
- Ben Alexander
- Dan Vickerman
- James Horwill
- Rocky Elsom
- David Pocock
- Radike Samo
- Will Genia
- Quade Cooper
- Digby Ioane
- Pat McCabe
- Adam Ashley-Cooper
- James O’Connor
- Kurtley Beale
- Tatafu Polota-Nau
- James Slipper
- Nathan Sharpe
- Ben McCalman
- Luke Burgess
- Berrick Barnes
- Anthony Faingaa
- Joining backline stars Kurtley Beale and Digby Ioane, McCabe returns to the starting line-up, with all three players having recovered from their individual injuries.
Beale is stepping in for the injured winger Drew Mitchell, while James O’Connor moves back to the right wing; McCabe takes the place of Berrick Barnes, and Ioane reclaims his position, pushing Radike Samo back to No.8.
“When queried about his choice to bring McCabe over Barnes, Deans remarked, “We had that option obviously.”
“Pat has been part of the season; the only game he missed was due to injury.
“It’s fantastic to see Barnsey fit again, and he’s made it into the 22 after being absent for a while.
“He’s a player we can utilize whenever we choose.”
In the forward pack, Dan Vickerman makes his return, replacing veteran lock Nathan Sharpe, who will revert to the bench along with backrower Ben McCalman.
“We’ve selected players and combinations that have served us well throughout the year thus far,” Deans commented.
“Naturally, injuries and managing individual player workloads have influenced our selection during the tournament, but thankfully many of the injury concerns we faced are now behind us. The players rejoining the team after their breaks are fit to play.”
by Buford Balony