Wallabies send “Sharpey” SOS
August 25, 2008 - 10:43am
Story by: ARU
Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans has re-called veteran lock Nathan Sharpe into the squad for the third Test against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The 69-Test second-rower was only recently dropped by coach Deans, but due to injuries to frontline locks Dan Vickerman (shoulder) and James Horwill (head knock), Sharpe has been rushed over from Perth as cover for the final Test of the tour.
The Wallabies certainly paid a price for their first victory in South Africa since 2000, with Vickerman and inside centre Berrick Barnes (shoulder) already ruled out for the third Test and a number of question marks over several squad members, including flanker Rocky Elsom who has been cited for pulling Springbok captain Victor Matfield down at a lineout.
Elsom’s judicial hearing will take place in Durban later this afternoon (Australian time) and coach Deans will be hoping his in-form loose forward escapes any further sanction in an already depleted Wallabies pack.
Springboks prop CJ van der Linde is also in hot water at the judiciary on Monday after being penalised for diving head-first into an opponent at the ruck.
With Barnes confirmed as unavailable for the Johannesburg Test, Robbie Deans also faces a selection dilemma in his backline, with no clear alternative option at inside centre.
With Stirling Mortlock and Test newcomers Ryan Cross and Timana Tahu as his remaining three available centres, Deans may choose to switch his captain to inside centre and give Cross a starting berth at his preferred outside centre position.
In good news for the Wallabies, fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper may return after a broken hand ruled him out of the Durban Test.
