Three changes for Wallabies against France

The selections of Dean Mumm, Ben Alexander and Wycliff Palu are the only changes to the Qantas Wallabies side named today for Saturday night’s Rugby Union Test against France in Paris.

Palu returns to the starting line-up for the first time since injuring the medial ligament in his knee against New Zealand at Brisbane in September.
 
He comes in for Richard Brown, whom he replaced after 45 minutes during last weekend’s 28-14 win over England. Brown, who sustained injuries to his knee and hand during that match, has been omitted from this weekend’s match-day squad.
 
After playing from the run on reserves bench at Twickenham, Mumm returns to the blindside flankers role he occupied in the opening two matches of the Wallabies’ Spring Tour.
 
His selection comes at the expense of lock Mark Chisholm, who moves to the bench, with Hugh McMeniman reverting from the side of the scrum into the second row.
 
McMeniman made his comeback from an ankle ligament injury at lock against Italy two weeks ago, before switching to the blindside flank last weekend.
 
Alexander, who made such a big impression in his run on debut against Italy two weeks ago, takes over from Benn Robinson, who has started in all but one of the Wallabies’ 12 Tests to date in 2008.
 
Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said the change was designed to spread the work load while encouraging the development of both players.
 
“Benn Robinson has had a big year and we’re mindful of that, while Ben Alexander showed against Italy, and earlier in the year during the Tests against France back in Australia, that he was capable in this company. Saturday night gives him another opportunity while allowing Benn Robinson to freshen up for the remaining games of the tour.”
 
Deans says a similar philosophy was at play in the change involving Mumm, McMeniman and Chisholm, and also on the bench where Sekope Kepu and David Pocock have been added.
 
Robinson, Brown and tighthead prop Matt Dunning are the three players to be omitted from last weekend’s match day squad.
 
Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock will play his 75th Test in Paris. In achieving this mark, Mortlock will tie former centre Jason Little as the 10th most capped Wallaby in history.
 
The game is the fourth of the Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour following on from the matches against New Zealand at Hong Kong, Italy in Padova and last weekend’s Cook Cup Test against England at London’s Twickenham Stadium.
 
It will be followed by the Wallabies’ 14th and final Test of the year, against Wales at Cardiff on Saturday week, before the tour concludes with a specially arranged midweek game against the Barbarians club at London’s Wembley Stadium on 3 December.
 
That match commemorates the Olympic Gold Medal won by the Wallabies at the 1908 London Games.
 
The Qantas Wallabies team to play France at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday 22 November (9pm kick off, local, 7am, 23 November, AEST), is:
 
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper       (Brumbies)
14. Peter Hynes                      (Queensland Reds)
13. Ryan Cross                        (Western Force)
12. Stirling Mortlock                (Brumbies) captain
11. Drew Mitchell                     (Western Force)
10. Matt Giteau                     (Western Force)
9. Luke Burgess                     (NSW Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu                          (NSW Waratahs)
7. George Smith                       (Brumbies)
6. Dean Mumm                        (NSW Waratahs)
5. Nathan Sharpe                     (Western Force)
4. Hugh McMeniman    (Queensland Reds)
3. Al Baxter                                (NSW Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore                     (Queensland Reds)
1. Ben Alexander                      (Brumbies)
 
Run on reserves:
 
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau              (NSW Waratahs)
17. Sekope Kepu                      (NSW Waratahs)
18. Mark Chisholm                    (Brumbies)
19. David Pocock                    (Western Force)
20. Sam Cordingley                 (Queensland Reds)
21. Quade Cooper                  (Queensland Reds)
22. Digby Ioane                        (Queensland Reds)
 
 
Australia v France – Historical Notes
*    This is the 39th Test between teams representing Australia and France, dating back to the inaugural meeting between a touring New South Wales side and France in Paris in 1928, which the visiting side won 11-8. This match was awarded Test status by the ARU. In total, Australia has won 20 matches and France 16, with two previous draws.
*    Nineteen Tests have been played between the two nations on French soil with France having won 12 to Australia’s six, while one was drawn.
*    France has won the last three clashes on home soil, with Australia’s last success an 18-13 win at Paris in 2000.
*    The most recent match between the two teams – at Brisbane in July – saw Australia record its highest winning margin against a French side, in posting a 40-10 victory.
*    To celebrate the bi-centenaries of Australia and France in 1988 and 1989 respectively, the French Rugby Union donated the Trophée des Bicentenaries to be played in perpetuity between the two countries. The trophy is a bronze sculpture featuring two players in a tackle. Although the trophy dates from 1988, it was first contested in 1989. Australia won the Trophée des Bicentenaries in 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002 and earlier this year.
*    The record for the most tries by an Australian player in a Test against France is two. It is shared by six players – including Stirling Mortlock and Ryan Cross, who will both feature again in Saturday’s contest. Cross scored his double during the Brisbane Test earlier in the year. Only David Campese (with five) has scored more tries for Australia against France than Mortlock, who has three.
*    Flanker George Smith will tie George Gregan and David Campese for the second most Tests played by a Wallaby against France, by earning his 10th cap.