As the Rocky Elsom judicial farce continued, the Wallabies were forced to train with two different forward combinations at their final training session late last night while awaiting a decision on whether their backrower had won his appeal and could play against the Springboks on Saturday.
The Wallabies team management were late last night involved in an appeal hearing with officials from the three Sanzar nations- Australia, South Africa and New Zealand - in a bid to overhaul Elsom's one-match suspension for pulling down Springbok skipper Victor Matfield in a lineout during the Durban Test triumph.
Wallabies team manager Phil Thomson, coach Robbie Deans and Elsom were involved in a teleconference with the Sanzar appeals committee.
In the interim, for the Johannesburg Test where Australia are striving to be the first Wallabies outfit to win two internationals in a row in South Africa since 1963, they had to cover all bases by practising their forward work, with one combination assuming that Elsom would be clear, and a different combination for if the blindside flanker was unsuccessful.
While this unusual situation would irk many international teams, the Wallabies are more attuned to taking such matters in their stride. Since Deans took over this season he's ensured all members of the squad get an equal opportunity to practice in their preferred positions.
The combinations are constantly changed, which has the desired effect of keeping every player in the squad hungry. Wallabies players constantly say that they have no idea which way the coach is leaning, and they seem revitalised by that way of thinking.
The general understanding was that if Elsom was available he would hold onto his Test No. 6 jersey in a revamped pack, which would see hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, second rower Hugh McMeniman and openside flanker Phil Waugh starting for, respectively, Stephen Moore, the injured Dan Vickerman, and George Smith.
The reason for the three changes is to ensure the squad has 'fresh legs', and the importance of rotation during a gruelling Tri Nations tournament, which continues when the team returns to Australia next week and starts preparing for the competition decider against the All Blacks in Brisbane on September 13.
Wallabies team management stressed that Polota-Nau and Waugh's inclusion did not mean they were unhappy with Moore and Smith's form.
In the backline, Timana Tahu has been rewarded with his first starting Test at inside centre, replacing the injured Berrick Barnes, who like Vickerman has returned home to Australia because of shoulder injuries. Adam Ashley-Cooper regains his Test fullback spot at the expense of Drew Mitchell.
If Elsom fails in his appeal, McMeniman will be moved to the backrow, and Nathan Sharpe, who was beckoned from Perth because of Vickerman's unavailability, will start in the second row alongside James Horwill. Sharpe will be the lineout leader. If Elsom plays, Horwill will continue in that role, which worked so well in the Durban Test, where the Wallabies lineout succeeded in upsetting the best in the world.
This unusual situation even saw the team having two official photographs taken yesterday one with Elsom in it, and one with Sharpe in it.
At least the Wallabies have had their contingency plan in place for some days with Polota-Nau, Waugh and McMeniman being prominent at Tuesday's training.
The Wallabies team (if Elsom wins the appeal):
Adam Ashley-Cooper; Lote Tuqiri, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Timana Tahu, Peter Hynes; Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley; Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Brett Sheehan, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
If Elsom loses his appeal, Nathan Sharpe goes into the second row and McMeniman moves to No 6.
