Barnes, Ioane boost Wallaby backs - Sports Celebrity News

Barnes, Ioane boost Wallaby backs

Australia will be hoping the return of star backs Berrick Barnes and Digby Ioane will be the spark it needs to beat England in the Cook Cup Test on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Robbie Deans also reinforced his forward line for the second match of the Wallabies' spring tour, with Sitaleki Timani and Ben Alexander also returning from injury to the starting XV.

Full-back Mike Harris will come off the bench to make way for Barnes, while a neck injury ruled Pat McCabe out and paved the way for Ioane to play his first game since the Rugby Championship.

Alexander comes in for Sekope Kepu, who remains in the Wallabies' replacement list, but Timani's position was vacated by an injured Kane Douglas (knee).

Star openside flanker David Pocock remains ineligible for selection as he recovers from a knee injury, with his return to the side delayed by a calf strain.

Deans said the Wallabies would not let the ghosts of their 33-6 loss to Les Bleus at the Stade de France last Sunday drag them down against England.

"The key focus has been to take the meaning from it, and put that learning into practice for this week, both through our preparation and then onto the game itself," he said.

"There aren't too many challenges in Test rugby that are greater than playing England at Twickenham.

"We are playing an England side that has been building up under its new leadership, and will see Saturday as the chance to lay down a marker for the future. They will be excited by the opportunities they saw out of our performance last weekend.

"But it goes both ways.

"Saturday is a significant opportunity for us as a group as well. It's going to be a great occasion, and one that the whole group is looking forward to."

Wallabies squad (15-1): Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Nick Cummins, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe, Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota Nau, Benn Robinson.

Replacements: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Brett Sheehan, Mike Harris, Drew Mitchell.


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