Australia recalled World Cup-winning flyhalf Stephen Larkham and lock Justin Harrison on Wednesday for their Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup rugby test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday. Larkham missed Australia's past two tests, the series-clinching 29-23 win against the British and Irish Lions on July 14 in Sydney and the 20-15 loss to South Africa in Pretoria two weeks later, because of a shoulder injury.
Flyhalf Elton Flatley was dropped to the bench on Wednesday for Larkham. Harrison made his debut in the third test against the Lions and pinched at least five lineouts in an impressive display. He was dropped for Australia's opening Tri-Nations test as World Cup-winning lock David Giffin returned from injury but Giffin's suspension for two matches for striking Springbok centre Robbie Fleck during the Pretoria test allowed Harrison to return to the side. Openside flanker Phil Waugh has replaced David Lyons on the bench for the Wallabies.
"It's pretty clear why Harrison and Larkham have been named, but on the bench we thought the inclusion of Phil Waugh would give us some new options for this match in Dunedin," Wallaby coach Eddie Jones said.
The 21-year-old New South Wales flanker was named in June as Australia's Super 12 player of the year. "I think seeing George Smith and Phil Waugh playing together would be something special to watch but we'll just have to wait and see," Jones said.
Reserve flyhalf Manuel Edmonds drops out of the 22.
Australia: 15-Matthew Burke; 14-Andrew Walker, 13-Daniel Herbert, 12-Nathan Grey, 11-Joe Roff; 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-George Gregan; 8-Toutai Kefu, 7-George Smith, 6-Owen Finegan, 5-John Eales (captain), 4-Justin Harrison; 3-Rod Moore, 2-Michael Foley, 1-Nick Stiles.
Replacements: 16-Brendan Cannon, 17-Ben Darwin, 18-Matt Cockbain, 19-Phil Waugh, 20-Chris Whitaker, 21-Elton Flatley, 22-Chris Latham.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
