WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans has given a strong indication that Sam Cordingley will edge out Brett Sheehan as his half-back for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against South Africa, and has surprisingly thrown Matt Giteau's name back into the No. 9 mix.

Deans said yesterday he would opt for experience when he selects a replacement for injured half-back Luke Burgess and Cordingley's 18 caps — 13 off the bench — are set to count for more than Sheehan's solitary Test appearance.

Interestingly, Sheehan made his debut in Johannesburg in 2006, while Cordingley is yet to play a Test in South Africa.

"We've got two half-backs with us and there's other players as well with us this time who've played in that position before, the likes of Matt Giteau," Deans said.

"I think in the first instance, it probably wouldn't be a surprise to you that we'll look to experience. So I'm giving you an insight there that we don't normally do, I've broken protocol there."

Sheehan's no-nonsense approach and consistent club appearances had fuelled speculation he could be favoured against a physical Springboks side eager for revenge on its own patch after a loss to Australia in Perth last month.

Giteau was trialled at No. 9 by former coach John Connolly in 2006 but the move was abandoned last year.

Asked how important experience was, Deans said: "Experience is valuable but … it comes down to how you use that. What previous experience in these sort of contests gives you is an insight but if you then don't use that to your best advantage, then it's not much value."

The Wallabies trained for the first time at their Cape Town base yesterday ahead of Saturday's match at ABSA Stadium in Durban.

Injured trio Adam Ashley-Cooper (hand), Rocky Elsom (foot) and James Horwill (foot) were on light duties but Deans expects at least the two forwards to be right.

Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner are the contenders to replace Ashley-Cooper, while Hugh McMeniman and Dean Mumm are in the frame in the forwards.

The Wallabies need to win one of their two Tests in South Africa to ensure their Tri-Nations finale against the All Blacks next month is a play-off for the title. But they have downplayed suggestions that victory in Durban is a better aim than trying to break a 45-year drought in Johannesburg.
AAP