Jones dumps Smith and Roe from Wallabies

SYDNEY - Wallabies coach Eddie Jones yesterday axed loose forwards George Smith and John Roe for the Tri-Nations test against South Africa in Perth on Saturday.

The pair were replaced in the starting 15 by Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom, as Jones demanded greater physical presence at the breakdown after the 30-13 loss to New Zealand in Sydney last Saturday.

Joining Waugh in making their first appearances in the starting 15 this season will be hooker Brendan Cannon and first five-eighths Elton Flatley.

Cannon comes in for the injured Jeremy Paul while Flatley takes over the No 10 jersey.

Jones made two positional changes to his backline, with Matt Giteau moved out to second five-eighths and Morgan Turinui to centre in place of the injured Stirling Mortlock.

Fullback Mat Rogers, who missed the last three tests with a knee injury, was bracketed with Clyde Rathbone on the wing after Mark Gerrard pulled out after a training injury.

Youngster Drew Mitchell retained the No 15 jersey after an impressive run-on debut against New Zealand.

With Cannon elevated to the starting 15, Queensland hooker Stephen Moore was recalled to the bench, where he joins Smith. Roe was omitted from the test squad.

South African coach Jake White named an unchanged team for the test.

White said it was the first time in more than 60 tests that South Africa had been able to pick the same 22 in consecutive matches.

The Springboks are quietly confident of continuing their unbeaten run in the competition after already beating the Wallabies and New Zealand in South Africa.

White is concerned about the current criticism of Australian captain Gregan.

He said Gregan would have a point to prove on Saturday and usually produced his best in crunch games.

* Perth, 10pm Saturday

Australia

Drew Mitchell
Rogers/Rathbone
Morgan Turinui
Matt Giteau
Lote Tuqiri
Elton Flatley
George Gregan (c)
David Lyons
Phil Waugh
Rocky Elsom
Nathan Sharpe
Daniel Vickerman
Al Baxter
Brendan Cannon
Bill Young


South Africa

Percy Montgomery
Breyton Paulse
Jaque Fourie
Jean de Villiers
Bryan Habana
Andre Pretorious
Ricky Januarie
Joe van Niekerk
Juan Smith
Schalk Burger
Victor Matfield
Bakkies Botha
CJ van der Linde
John Smit (c)
Os du Randt

Reserves:

Australia: Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, Mark Chisholm, George Smith, Chris Whitaker, Rathbone/Rogers (one to be added).

South Africa: Hanyani Shimange, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert van den Berg, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez, Wayne Julies, Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

- AAP