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Gerrard to replace Lote Tuqiri on right wing against `Boks

Australia's Mark Gerrard makes a run for it in a Rugby Union test match against Wales in Brisbane, Australia, on June 2. Australia won the match 31-0. PHOTO: AP

Mark Gerrard will replace the suspended Lote Tuqiri on the right wing on Saturday as Australian rugby prepares to farewell two veteran players in its Tri-Nations match against South Africa.

Tuqiri is serving a two-match suspension for breaching team standards -- missing a training session and having an elevated blood-alcohol reading.

George Gregan, a 132-test veteran, and his longtime halves counterpart Stephen Larkham will play their final test in Australia in the Olympic Stadium match on Saturday.

Larkham will play his 100th test for the Wallabies and become the third player to register a century of test caps for Australia alongside Gregan and David Campese (101).

Australian coach John Connolly said yesterday that he expects an emotional farewell for Gregan and Larkham, who will both play for the Wallabies in the World Cup in September in France.

"They are virtually icons of Australian sport," Connolly said.

Stephen Hoiles edged David Lyons for the No. 8 spot in the Australian team.

The ACT Brumbies backrower comes in for the injured Wycliff Palu and Adam Freier is in for the injured Stephen Moore.

Backs Ruan Pienaar and J.P. Pietersen were the only Springboks from last month's win against Australia named to play Saturday's match when South African officials confirmed their team yesterday.

Coach Jake White was forced to make a late change to his original selection after prop Cobus Visagie suffered a dislocated elbow at training on Tuesday.

White said the injury would rule Visagie out of South Africa's two remaining Tri-Nations games.

White would not speculate on the extent of the injury and whether it would force the prop to miss the World Cup. With Visagie unavailable, Jannie du Plessis was selected for his test debut.

He is the only uncapped player in the run-on side, although his brother Bismarck, who has yet to play a test, was chosen on the bench.

Lineups:

* Australia: Julian Huxley, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Matt Dunning, Adam Freier, Guy Sheperdson, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Vickerman, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Stephen Hoiles. Reserves: Sean Hardman, Al Baxter, Hugh McMeniman, David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Scott Staniforth, Drew Mitchell.

* South Africa: Bevin Fortuin, Breyton Paulse, Waylon Murray, Wynand Olivier, J.P. Pietersen, Derick Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar, Bob Skinstad (captain), Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Johann Muller, Johan Ackermann, Jannie du Plessis, Gary Botha, C.J. van der Linde. Reserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Eddie Andrews, Albert van den Berg, Jacques Cronje, Michael Claassens, Peter Grant, Jaco Pretorius.
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