Wholesale changes for Australia

Published: Wednesday, 19. October, 2011 in category Australia
Sharpe: Will win his 100th cap

Nathan Sharpe will win his 100th cap in a much-changed line-up, with Deans opting to give a number of his squad game time.

Sharpe, who made his debut against France in 2002, is joined by Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Salesi Ma'afu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and James Slipper in the pack.

In the back division Kurtley Beale returns at full-back after recovering from a hamstring problem, while Berrick Barnes is named in the centre alongside Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Pat McCabe (shoulder), Dan Vickerman (shoulder, leg and nose), Sekope Kepu (eye) and Stephen Moore (sternum) have all been ruled out of repeat of the 1987 third-place play-off, while former captain Rocky Elsom is rested.

Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill (capt), 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 James Slipper.Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Rob Horne.