Wallabies call subs for injured Paul, Tune

DUBLIN - The Wallabies have flown two replacement players to Dublin for Sunday's match against Ireland following their spiteful test against Argentina.

Hooker Brendan Cannon and winger Mark Bartholomeusz flew out of Sydney last night.

Cannon has been called into the squad after Jeremy Paul aggravated a hamstring injury, and Bartholomeusz replaces Ben Tune, who pulled a hamstring 15 minutes into the game.

Wallaby backs Matt Burke, who has a leg injury, and Mat Rogers, who suffered rib cartilage damage, were also in doubt for the test against Ireland.

Flankers Owen Finegan (ankle) and David Lyons (thigh), who missed Australia's 17-6 win over the Pumas because of injury, were expected to be fit to play the Irish.

"This was a very hard match so we're satisfied with the win," said Wallaby coach Eddie Jones.

"But we are disappointed with the way Argentina played and their tactic of playing the man and not the ball."

Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper ran a main back-page headline which said "Disgraceful," with a sub-heading "Wallabies spat on, kicked and gouged," to describe the match.

Flanker Matt Cockbain complained of being eye-gouged.

Toutai Kefu and Paul also made accusations of unfair play against the Pumas.

"It has to be up there with the worst test for that sort of stuff that I've played in," Paul said.

Argentina halfback Agustin Pichot responded angrily to the claims.

"We play aggressively, but Australia came here to play negatively," he said.

"And they are cheats. They constantly pull your shirt and step on you, and they do it in a very professional way."

The Australian newspaper said yesterday that the Buenos Aires test was the dirtiest the Wallabies had played since captain John Eales threatened to lead his team from the field during the 1999 World Cup final against France in Cardiff.

The Sydney Morning Herald said the Wallabies had complained about several unsavoury incidents, including "forwards Matt Cockbain and Adam Freier being blatantly eye-gouged."

Australia will also play tests against England (November 17) and Italy (November 24).

* French fullback Thomas Castaignede is returning to international rugby two years after his career was halted by a serious achilles tendon injury.

The Saracens player has been recalled by French coach Bernard Laporte to replace the injured Clement Poitrenaud and will join the squad today.

Castaignede was operated on by Gerard Saillant, the Paris surgeon who restored Brazil's Ronaldo to top-level soccer.

"It feels like he's worked a miracle," Castaignede said yesterday.

"When I see how I'm able to run, it's just extraordinary.

"Now I'm back, and I've got a lot to look forward to."

France will play South Africa on Sunday before hosting New Zealand and Canada.

- AGENCIES