21/08/2008 10:07 PM
Wallabies flanker Rocky Elsom has been included in Robbie Deans' squad for Saturday night's Tri-Nations clash with the Springboks in Durban after recovering from a foot injury.
Elsom strained foot ligaments in Australia's record victory over the All Blacks in Sydney last month and has been forced to wear protective footwear since.
Coach Deans had been doubtful the 25-year-old would recover in time for the Springboks Test, but in what team-mate Stephen Moore has described as a 'Lazarus-like' effort, Elsom has been selected at No. 6.
Elsom's return from injury has coincided with James Horvill's maintaining his place in the squad at No.4 despite also struggling with a similar foot complaint following the Wallabies loss to New Zealand in Auckland.
Along with Elsom's inclusion, Drew Mitchell has been selected at fullback while Sam Cordingley will line up at halfback in three of five personnel changes to the Australian combination.
Mitchell and Cordingley take the places of the injured Adam Ashley-Cooper and Luke Burgess respectively.
The other changes to the Australian starting XV from the last game of the series, sees Daniel Vickerman resume his starting position in the second-row, having come from the bench in his two Test outings of the season to date.
Tighthead prop Matt Dunning is also restored to the run on side for the first time since the opening international of the year against Ireland. He swaps places with Al Baxter, who drops to a place among the run on reserves.
The starting side features four changes from the combination which eclipsed South Africa 16-9 in the Wallabies' opening match of the 2008 Tri-Nations series in Perth.
Brett Sheehan is promoted to the match-day squad for the first time this year following Cordingley's elevation into the starting line-up, being joined by Timana Tahu and Ryan Cross among the back replacements.
Deans said he is happy with his team's preparation through the week as it heads towards the Durban match, although he is wary of a Springboks side that was humiliated at home by the All Blacks last weekend in a 19-0 result.
"Training has gone well, and we're looking forward to the opportunity we have in front of us," Deans said from the team's training base in Capetown.
While the Wallabies' recent run of outs in South Africa has been repeatedly highlighted in the lead-up to the current team's visit, Deans is only looking forward.
"It (the record) highlights the extent of the opportunity that we, as a team, have in front of us to achieve something significant, and that's exciting," Deans says.
"But as far as its relevance is concerned in the preparations for Saturday's game, it doesn't really have any. We're focusing totally on what is in front of us. The history, be it good or bad, isn't a factor once the game kicks off."
The Wallabies will wear black arm-bands during the match as marks of respect for former Australian representatives Roy Prosser and Malcolm van Gelder who both passed away prior to the team's departure for South Africa.
Wallabies squad
15. Drew Mitchell (Western Force)
14. Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds)
13. Stirling Mortlock