Australia v England, Perth, June 12
O'Connor wins Wallabies recall
Scrum.com
June 10, 2010

James O'Connor will get another chance to torment England in the colours of Australia on Saturday after winning a Test recall for their clash in Perth.

The Western Force youngster scored a hat-trick against England's dirt-trackers for the Australian Barbarians in Tuesday's tour game and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans admitted that he could not ignore his claims at fullback. Adam Ashley-Cooper drops out of the side after picking up an injury in last weekend's win over Fiji, with Drew Mitchell taking his place on the wing.

Quade Cooper has again been entrusted with the playmaking duties at fly-half, with Matt Giteau retained at inside-centre. Luke Burgess starts at scrum-half, with Reds No.9 Will Genia only fit enough for a place on the bench after an injury layoff.

The main concern for the Wallabies comes in the front-row, where injuries to Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander and Stephen Moore have left them short of options. Reds prop Ben Daley will make his debut in a trio boasting only two Test caps, with Salesi Ma'afu and Saia Faingaa having made their bows against Fiji last weekend.

"We've broadened the playing base a fair bit, and Saturday is a great opportunity for the newer players," Deans said. "We've already seen a few guys put their hands up in the first two outings that we've had as a squad. We will be looking for more of the same on the weekend coming.

"England have got a group of great experience in all types of circumstance that is looking to impress. We saw many of the traits we will see again this weekend during the tour match on Tuesday night, most notably the composure England showed after falling behind in the game, and also the direct nature of their play.

"Martin [Johnson] and his team will be determined to deliver a statement of intent, both looking ahead to the rest of this tour but also on to next year and the Rugby World Cup, there's no doubt about that."

Australia: J O'Connor (Western Force); D Ione (Queensland Reds), R Horne (NSW Waratahs), M Giteau (ACT Brumbies), D Mitchell (NSW Waratahs); Q Cooper (Queensland Reds), L Burgess (NSW Waratahs); B Daley (Queensland Reds), S Faingaa (Queensland Reds), S Ma'afu (ACT Brumbies), D Mumm (NSW Waratahs), N Sharpe (Western Force), R Elsom (ACT Brumbies, capt), D Pocock (Western Force), R Brown (Western Force).

Replacements: H Edmonds (ACT Brumbies), J Slipper (Queensland Reds), M Chisholm (ACT Brumbies), M Hodgson (Western Force), W Genia (Queensland Reds), B Barnes (NSW Waratahs), K Beale (NSW Waratahs)

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