Norton-Knight drafted in by Australia 'A'
ARU
June 13, 2007

Selectors have today named the Australia A team for this Saturday's highly-anticipated iRB Pacific Nations Cup showdown with the Junior All Blacks at Carisbrook Park in Dunedin.

There are a total of nine changes to the starting line-up which defeated Japan 71-10 last Saturday in Townsville, including the introduction of Waratahs and Wallabies fly-half Sam Norton-Knight.

Reds utility back Clinton Schifcofske has been ruled out of this weekend's Australia A line-up through injury.

"Clinton has been traveling with a calf strain and it has not improved," said Laurie Fisher today.

"That means Lachie Turner (Waratahs) will come onto the bench," he said.

The Australia A squad also welcomes into the starting line-up Reds and Wallabies prop Rodney Blake, who has recovered after ankle surgery and Reds and Wallabies lock/flanker Hugh McMeniman, also back from injury.

Try scorer for the Wallabies in his debut Test against Wales, Digby Ioane has been named on the wing.

He will be partnered on the wing by Western Force teammate, Cameron Shepherd who also returns from the Wallabies squad.

"With Digby and Cameron in the line-up we will have no shortage of pace out wide, and with Rodney and Hugh back on the paddock there is no shortage of grunt up front," Laurie Fisher added.

Both Australia A and the Junior All Blacks are unbeaten in the Pacific Nations Cup Series to date.

The Australia A team is:
Nic Henderson
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Rodney Blake
Alister Campbell (c)
James Horwill
Hugh McMeniman
Julian Salvi
David Lyons
Josh Holmes
Sam Norton-Knight
Digby Ioane
Ryan Cross
Junior Pelesasa
Cameron Shepherd
Peter Hewat

Reserves:
Sean Hardman
Troy Takiari
Dean Mumm
Jone Tawake
Josh Valentine
Gene Fairbanks
Lachlan Turner

Head Coach: Laurie Fisher
Kick-off for the match is 2.30pm Local Time.
The Match will be televised on ABC2 from 5.30pm AEST.

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