Hynes, Hugh in Wallaby side for Cook Cup
QR Red Peter Hynes returns to the Wallaby wing for the weekend Cook Cup test against England at Twickenham, while the dynamic Hugh McMeniman has forced his way into the side for the encounter.
Wallaby coach Robbin Deans has made eight personnel changes to the Australian starting lineup from the side that beat Italy 30-20 last weekend and has brought rookie flyhalf Quade Cooper onto the bench alongside fellow Red Digby Ioane.
McMeniman got through the full match playing at lock last Saturday after returning from an ankle ligament injury and has been named at blindside flanker in the only change to the forward pack that played New Zealand a fortnight ago. Ioane turned in some powerful runs in broken play against Italy to earn a bench spot while Cooper scored the match-winning try against the Azzuri when he came off the bench for his first cap late in the game.
Hynes has been the form winger of the year but was rested against Italy.
Veteran scrumhalf Sam Cordingley, who is in his final season in Australian teams, is the reserve scrumhalf, while departing Reds hooker Stephen Moore is again in the starting lineup.
Matt Giteau returns to the run-on side at flyhalf following a knee injury to Berrick Barnes that has ruled him out of the remainder of the Wallaby tour.
“This is a new group carving out its own way,” said Deans, who is unfazed by Australia's recent poor record against England.
“We won’t be distracted by what has gone before. Many of our players have never experienced playing at Twickenham before so it holds no baggage for them. The history has no real relevance for what is to come aside, perhaps, from highlighting the scale of the opportunity that is ahead of us!”
South Africa’s Marius Jonker will referee the Test, replacing original appointee, New Zealander Steve Walsh, who is injured.
The Wallabies team to play England for the Cook Cup at Twickenham Stadium in London on Saturday 15 November (kickoff 2.30pm local / 12.30am, 16 November Qld time) is:
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)
14. Peter Hynes (QR Reds)
13. Ryan Cross (Western Force)
12. Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies) captain
11. Drew Mitchell (Western Force)
10. Matt Giteau (Western Force)
9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
8. Richard Brown (Western Force)
7. George Smith (Brumbies)
6. Hugh McMeniman (QR Reds)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies)
3. Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore (QR Reds)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Run on reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs)
18. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
19. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
20. Sam Cordingley (QR Reds)
21. Quade Cooper (QR Reds)
22. Digby Ioane (QR Reds)
