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Wales tour of Australia
Deans makes ten changes
ESPN Staff
June 7, 2012
Benn Robinson is set to make his international return
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Australia have made a complete overhaul of their front-row and centre combinations for the opening Test against Wales. Coach Robbie Deans made nine changes to the team which lost 9-6 to Scotland in Newcastle on Tuesday, with five newcomers arriving in the pack. The Wallabies will feature an all-new Waratahs front row, and three more behind the scrum when they face Wales in Brisbane this Saturday. Loosehead prop Benn Robinson makes a return to the Test arena after an 18-month absence and fit-again Wycliff Palu gets the nod at number eight. Rob Simmons will start at lock beside Nathan Sharpe, while Scott Higginbotham shifts to blindside flanker. Adam Ashley-Cooper comes in at full-back for Luke Morahan while Rob Horne and Pat McCabe replace Anthony Faingaa and Mike Harris respectively in the centres. Joe Tomane was originally pencilled in to start on the right wing but he was forced to pull out due to a ankle injury which will keep him sidelined for six weeks. Melbourne Rebels' Cooper Vuna starts instead. Australia: A Ashley-Cooper; C Vuna, R Horne, P McCabe, D Ioane; B Barnes, W Genia; B Robinson, T Polota Nau, S Kepu, R Simmons, N Sharpe, S Higginbotham, D Pocock, W Palu. Replacements: S Moore, B Alexander, D Dennis, M Hooper, N White, A Fainga'a, M Harris. © ESPN EMEA Ltd
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