Berrick Barnes was installed at flyhalf as Australia A made five changes to their team for the final Pacific Nations Cup match on Saturday against Fiji in Suva.
New South Wales Waratahs scrumhalf Josh Valentine will replace Josh Holmes in another change to the Australian side which was beaten 50-0 by the Junior All Blacks last weekend. Holmes moves to the reserves in the team announced yesterday.
Lachlan Turner also returns to the starting lineup, while Cameron Shepherd moves from the wing to replace Peter Hewat at fullback. Perth-based Western Force flanker David Pocock comes in for the injured Julian Salvi.
Head coach Laurie Fisher said Australia A, second to the Junior All Blacks in the standings, must bounce back from its heavy loss and finish the tournament on a positive note.
"Last week we were disappointing right across the park and all the guys know they need to perform this week to have any chance of getting on the plane to France," Fisher said of his player's World Cup squad chances. "I expect a much more committed effort."
Fiji, meanwhile, had two injury scares this week -- England-based center Kameli Ratuvou and France-based flanker Aca Ratuva injured themselves during a Tuesday workout and sat out the afternoon session. Ratuvou received a knock to his head while Ratuva injured his ankle.
Australia A
Cameron Shepherd, Digby Ioane, Junior Pelesasa, Ryan Cross, Lachlan Turner, Berrick Barnes, Josh Valentine; David Lyons, David Pocock, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Al Campbell (captain), Nick Henderson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Rodney Blake. Reserves: Sean Hardman, Gareth Hardy, Dean Mumm, Jone Tawake, Sam Norton-Knight, Josh Holmes, Clinton Schifcofske.
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