Mckenzie Unfazed If Brumbies Field Fewer Wallabies

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday January 29, 2008

Rupert Guinness

WARATAHS coach Ewen McKenzie is not bothered by speculation the Brumbies side to play NSW in a trial on Friday will lack Wallabies firepower.

McKenzie had spoken with Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher about ensuring the Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford, fixture is no mismatch. But the Brumbies are unlikely to select nine Wallabies, as NSW have done.

"We spoke about naming our strongest side," McKenzie said. "It is up to them [who they pick]. I suspect they will name their strongest combination. Whether it has Wallabies in it or not, I don't know."

Asked if he would be irritated if the Brumbies line-up lacked a Wallabies presence, McKenzie said: "Not really. We are just out there to practise our systems under pressure and they will certainly provide pressure."

The Wallabies picked for the starting XV for Friday night are props Benn Robinson and Al Baxter, hooker Adam Freier, second-rower Dan Vickerman, No.7 Phil Waugh, No.8 Wycliff Palu and halfback Brett Sheehan from the starting XV. Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and prop Matt Dunning will play from the bench.

McKenzie has also picked a 10, 12 and 13 combination of Kurtley Beale, Sam Harris and Timana Tahu.

NSW team to play Brumbies at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford, on Friday at 7pm: Turner; Carraro, Tahu, Harris, Batger; Beale, Sheehan; Robinson, Freier, Baxter, Vickerman, Caldwell, Mumm, Waugh (c), Palu. Res: Polota-Nau, Dunning, Mowen, Robinson, Burgess, Carter, Jacobs, Thomson, Sigg, McCutcheon, Mafi, Horne, Kepu.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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