Rugby: Wallabies need that winning feeling

Salesi Ma'afu is pictured during an Australian Wallabies training session. Photo / Getty Images

CANBERRA: The Wallabies open their 2010 test campaign against Fiji in Canberra tonight desperately hoping to replenish their trophy cabinet with meaningful silverware.

Australia haven't won a Bledisloe Cup since 2002 or the Tri-Nations since 2001 and skipper Rocky Elsom and coach Robbie Deans bristled yesterday when a reporter suggested they hadn't challenged for serious spoils in the past two seasons because they were rebuilding.

"There's never a time that we haven't wanted to win those trophies." Elsom snapped.

"There's never a time that we've said that we're rebuilding this year so we'll just have to do the best we can.

"That's always the goal for us. We always want to win those trophies, particularly those two.

"We're hungry."

Deans was also eager to set the record straight, intervening with: "Rebuilding has never been in our language. The reason for that is, when you play a test match it only happens once and for those players who are lucky enough to have that opportunity, it lasts for 80 minutes and you've got to live with that experience for the rest of your days.

"And those who come to watch don't care how long you've been there and that's the way it should be.

"So we're chasing wins."

Fiji are not expected to truly test the Wallabies, but Elsom certainly isn't treating the 2007 World Cup quarter-finalists with any disrespect.

"Fijians are always good athletes," said Elsom, who will lead Australia for the first time on home soil in his milestone 50th test.

"They have very quick feet and are very agile and they enjoy the unstructured play more than most.

"So while they'll be a different challenge to other teams, they'll be a challenge all the same.

"If the opposition's got a player like Rupeni Caucaunibuca, you've got to be on your game."

Much home interest will centre on the performance of Australian Super 14 player of the year Quade Cooper, who will line up at first five-eighths in a test for the first time.

Deans said there'd been no visible change in the dazzling playmaker's demeanour since Cooper on Tuesday edged out Matt Giteau for the No 10 jumper.

"That's probably a reflection of his growth. He's taking things in his stride now," Deans said. "The dynamic in the backline has been good. The boys are enjoying running off him."

AUSTRALIA v FIJI
Canberra, 8.30 tonight

AUSTRALIA
Kurtley Beale
Digby Ioane
Rob Horne
Matt Giteau
A. Ashley-Cooper
Quade Cooper
Luke Burgess
Richard Brown
David Pocock
Rocky Elsom (c)
Nathan Sharpe
Dean Mumm
Salesi Ma'afu
Huia Edmonds
Ben Alexander

FIJI
Taniela Rawaqa
Sireli Bobo
R Caucaunibuca
Saula Radidi
Timoci Nagusa
Waisea Luveniyali
Emosi Vucago
Jone Qovu
Jimilai Naikadawa
Anthony Wise
Sekonaia Kalou
D Waqaniburotu
Deacon Manu (c)
T Talemaitoga
Campese Ma'afu

RESERVES
Australia: Saia Faingaa, Pekahou Cowan, Mark Chisholm, Matt Hodgson, Josh Valentine, Drew Mitchell, James O'Connor.

Fiji: Viliame Veikoso, Graham Dewes, Rupeni Nasiga, Malakau Samu Bola, Vitori Buatava, Nemani Nadolo, Ropate Ratu.

- AAP