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RWC 2007: Mitchell dropped as Stirling mortlock returns

Fiji rugby union national team players huddle during a training session at the La Martine stadium in Marseille, France, on Tuesday. PHOTO: AFP

Leading tournament try-scorer Drew Mitchell has missed out on a place in the Wallabies team following the return from injury of skipper Stirling Mortlock for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final with England in Marseille tomorrow.

Mitchell, who broke compatriot David Campese's World Cup try-scoring record with seven tries, was relegated to the bench with Adam Ashley-Cooper taking his wing spot when the team was named yesterday for the first of the knockout games.

Head coach John Connolly had flagged Mitchell's likely demotion when he said that Ashley-Cooper, as the incumbent left winger in this year's Tri-Nations series, would keep his place with Mortlock's return.

Mortlock missed the Wallabies' final two pool matches with a shoulder injury suffered against Wales.

Test rookie Berrick Barnes was named at flyhalf for the injured Stephen Larkham, while utility back Scott Staniforth was not considered for squad selection because of a badly bruised shoulder.

The forwards remain intact with the regular front-row combination of Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore and Guy Shepherdson named for what is a highly-anticipated battle up front with England's pack.

Scrumhalf George Gregan will be making his record 139th Test appearance in his farewell international tournament.

Connolly has opted for five forwards on the bench, including Hugh McMeniman, man-of-the-match in the 37-6 win over Canada in Bordeaux last Saturday.

"England is a very dangerous team," Connolly said. "Their set piece has been their cornerstone for many years and they have incredible speed out wide and a No. 10 in Jonny Wilkinson who steers them around exceptionally well."

Connolly said the Wallabies would need to improve on their pool performances to reach the last four in the tournament and a potential semi-final match with Cup favorites New Zealand in Paris.

"When you look at our results through the pool games, you'd have to say we're pretty happy with where we're at," Connolly said. "But we're very conscious that we have to improve considerably on that to go any further in the tournament."

Australia lost to England in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney with Wilkinson potting a drop goal in extra-time to clinch his side's first Webb Ellis Trophy.

The fierce rivals are 2-2 in matches at the World Cup.

Of the 34 Test matches played between the two nations, Australia has won 20 to England's 13, with one drawn.

Australia won both Tests against England last year, 34-3 in Sydney and 43-18 in Melbourne, to reclaim the Cook Cup. Australia's last defeat to England was a 26-16 loss at Twickenham in 2005.
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