Beale gets chance to make amends

Published: Friday, 24. August, 2012 in category The Rugby Championship
Beale (l): On the bench

The Wallabies will be aiming to keep their Bledisloe Cup alive against the All Blacks.

After Beale's worst performance in a Wallabies jersey in the 27-19 loss to the world champions in Sydney last Saturday night, Beale was dropped from the starting side yesterday.

But coach Robbie Deans has spared the reigning John Eales Medal holder the axe completely, naming Beale on the bench for the daunting task in Auckland.

Queensland Reds forward Liam Gill is poised to make his Test debut after also earning a berth among the reserves, alongside fellow forwards Saia Fainga'a, James Slipper and Radike Samo.

Nick Phipps and Anthony Fainga'a are also in the squad but Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has missed out after failing to recover from a corked buttock.

The Wallabies return to Eden Park for the first time since their 20-6 World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of the All Blacks last year and have not won at the venue since 1986.

The All Blacks will wrap up the Bledisloe Cup for the 10th straight year if they win the match.