KEY POINTS:
BRISBANE - Robbie Deans will is set to unveil a raft of Wallabies changes today but lynchpin Berrick Barnes is highly unlikely to be among them in a major blow to Australia's Tri-Nations hopes.
Barnes' injured shoulder is given little chance of being fit in time for a
searching defensive examination by Ma'a Nonu and the All Blacks in a "torrid" series decider on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Deans will name his team today, crucially without seeing the inside centre tested with any contact work at training.
Barnes ran freely yesterday and looked good in ball work, alternating at centre with Timana Tahu at Ballymore, but the Australian coach is highly reluctant to risk him if he's not 100 per cent.
It appears the AC injury still needs another week to heal and skipper Stirling Mortlock may be moved to No 12 with Ryan Cross at outside centre.
League convert Tahu, badly exposed in defence at inside centre in the last-start 53-8 drubbing by South Africa, is still in contention with Deans and Mortlock rating him highly.
Whatever midfield combination Australia fields, the Wallabies will sorely miss a fit Barnes who is an ultra-reliable low defender, irreplaceable organiser and key second ball-player beside Matt Giteau.
"It's not a game where you'd want to be less than 100 per cent so we'd need to be convinced," Deans said.
"First and foremost, Berrick would need to be convinced he's 100 per cent and if he comes to us with that sort of enthusiasm we'll consider him."
It's the most contentious selection in the Australian starting 15, which is set to see up to six changes from the Johannesburg debacle.
Hooker Stephen Moore will bring more set-piece stability by starting ahead of Tatafu Polota-Nau, George Smith returns at flanker for Phil Waugh and training formations yesterday suggested veteran lock Nathan Sharpe would replace Hugh McMeniman while prop Matt Dunning would drop to the bench for Al Baxter.
Deans may also drop Adam Ashley-Cooper, who had a disappointing last start at Ellis Park, in favour of the dynamic Drew Mitchell at fullback.
"This is a game that everyone wants to play in after a hard-fought Tri-Nations,to come down to the last game with everything on the line," said Sharpe.
"The one thing you know about this game is the intensity of both teams will be right up there.
"You would expect a torrid clash I'd imagine."
Wallabies halfback Brett Sheehan has been cleared of a neck injury but is set to start behind France-bound Sam Cordingley in his last game on Australian soil, but first run-on appearance against New Zealand.
"The way it's turned out is great," said Cordingley.
"I couldn't script it any (better), playing against the All Blacks at home and trying to win a Tri-Nations and stay in the hunt for the Bledisloe - it's a great way to finish at home."
A strong display should see the 32-year-old, who doesn't link with Grenoble until the new year, retained in the 33-man Wallabies spring tour squad named on September 23.
- AAP
