Nicholas
09-09-2006, 07:12 AM
Wallabies centre Stirling Mortlock failed to train with the side at the captain's run at Ellis Park but will play in Saturday's final Tri Nations Test against South Africa.
Mortlock has a minor hamstring strain but team officials described his rest as precautionary.
New winger Cameron Shepherd is a quality goalkicker and could be used to take over those duties if Mortlock were to succumb to the injury during the match.
The Wallabies will attempt to win their first match in Johannesburg since 1943 and in South Africa since 2000.
To do so they will need to overcome the 1700m altitude of the city and the confidence the Springboks gained from their win over Tri Nations champion New Zealand last weekend.
The Australians go into the match without suspended winger Lote Tuqiri and injured gamebreaker Mat Rogers while young Waratahs prop Benn Robinson will make his Test debut at loose-head prop.
While Shepherd replaces Tuqiri, Rogers' bench coverage of fullback, wing, inside centre and flyhalf will be handled by ex-winger Mark Gerrard.
Wallabies attack coach Scott Johnson said Gerrard was likely to be given more chances closer to the action on the Australian side's November tour of Europe.
"We're there trying to suit the mould and the need of the team and the nation to the need and the skills of a kid and we're very, very fortunate to have a kid that I think can play a multitude of positions," Johnson said.
"We're keen to have a look if his talent can fit somewhere else."
Mortlock has a minor hamstring strain but team officials described his rest as precautionary.
New winger Cameron Shepherd is a quality goalkicker and could be used to take over those duties if Mortlock were to succumb to the injury during the match.
The Wallabies will attempt to win their first match in Johannesburg since 1943 and in South Africa since 2000.
To do so they will need to overcome the 1700m altitude of the city and the confidence the Springboks gained from their win over Tri Nations champion New Zealand last weekend.
The Australians go into the match without suspended winger Lote Tuqiri and injured gamebreaker Mat Rogers while young Waratahs prop Benn Robinson will make his Test debut at loose-head prop.
While Shepherd replaces Tuqiri, Rogers' bench coverage of fullback, wing, inside centre and flyhalf will be handled by ex-winger Mark Gerrard.
Wallabies attack coach Scott Johnson said Gerrard was likely to be given more chances closer to the action on the Australian side's November tour of Europe.
"We're there trying to suit the mould and the need of the team and the nation to the need and the skills of a kid and we're very, very fortunate to have a kid that I think can play a multitude of positions," Johnson said.
"We're keen to have a look if his talent can fit somewhere else."