Wallabies recall Turinui

[aussie1st]

CENTRE Morgan Turinui has been called in to Australia's World Cup squad as a shock replacement for injured No.8 David Lyons.

Turinui's call-up, two years after playing the last of his 20 Tests, has been largely prompted by the concern surrounding injured playmaker Stephen Larkham.

The former Wallabies vice-captain will fly to France on Wednesday and arrive in Marseille two days before Saturday's quarter-final clash against England.

Lyons was ruled out of the tournament on the weekend after breaking his leg and also suffering a suspected ankle dislocation in the 37-6 win over Canada in Bordeaux.

The Australian selectors have opted against replacing the 117kg back rower with another forward as they look to cover the possible loss of Larkham who is recovering from knee surgery.

They considered calling in a five-eighth like New South Wales young gun Kurtley Beale but decided an inside centre was essential with the dynamic Matt Giteau viewed at best back-up to rookie playmaker Berrick Barnes.

Connolly said Turinui was one of three No.12s considered with Queensland-bound surprise Chris Siale and Western Force convert Ryan Cross.

"With Stephen in a bit of doubt and Scotty Staniforth with a knock we thought we were a bit dodgy in the inside backs," the coach said.

"We were relatively happy with Ryan Cross's Super 14 form but he's a bit inexperienced at 12 and Morgan's experience got him the nod."

Barnes will start Saturday's quarter-final against England in Marseille and is firming to hold the reins through the rest of the tournament.

The 33-year-old Larkham is set to resume running this week after a second arthroscopy in eight days but he would have gone six weeks without a game if fit to play a possible semi-final against New Zealand.

Turinui, despite confronting a career crossroads which has seen him leave NSW for Queensland in 2008, is still young at 25.

He was a member of the 2003 World Cup squad but made more of a name for himself during that campaign by pocketing a six-figure Melbourne Cup windfall when he picked the first four horses in order.

Turinui has showed strong Australian Rugby Championship form for the Sydney Fleet at an opportune time for the centre long renowned for his rugby brain.

Turinui should be aware of any challenge that may arise if Barnes or Giteau get injured as, until now, he's been keeping an internet blog on the Wallabies campaign.
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http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...9-23217,00.html

What were they thinking. I would have gone either Beale or Cross, Turini is just another Baxter you see him on the bench but you don't want to use him.

 

[Fushitsusha]

Apparently Turinui got the nod because Siale was injured.

It's a f***ing joke. If they wanted another inside back they should've gone with Cross, Beale or Pelesasa.

 

[Juggernaut]

I would have thought bringing Beale & Cross in would have been a better option but Connolly has gone for experience here. He wont get any game time but is a safer option on the bench that Cross & Beale.

 

[Wally]

Apparently Turinui got the nod because Siale was injured.

It's a f***ing joke. If they wanted another inside back they should've gone with Cross, Beale or Pelesasa. [/b]

All of the players mentioned have a combined total of 0 Tests. Do you really think the management team is dumb enough to bring in someone who has never played for the Wallabies? This is the knockout stage of a World Cup, not a northern hemisphere development tour. At least with Tooheysnui you know what you are getting.

 

[Fushitsusha]

<div class='quotemain'> Apparently Turinui got the nod because Siale was injured.

It's a f***ing joke. If they wanted another inside back they should've gone with Cross, Beale or Pelesasa. [/b]

All of the players mentioned have a combined total of 0 Tests. Do you really think the management team is dumb enough to bring in someone who has never played for the Wallabies? This is the knockout stage of a World Cup, not a northern hemisphere development tour. At least with Tooheysnui you know what you are getting.
[/b][/quote]

Experience does not account for everything.

If that was the case John Connolly should've called up Tim Horan.

Oh sure, he couldn't physically handle it, but he's got all the EXPERIENCE in the world!

Turinui wasn't good enough to play for Australia A, and certainly is not up to a test standard.

I realise Turinui isn't going to get any game time but I'd feel a lot more confident with Ryan Cross and his zero test experience simply because he's a far better player.

Having experience is a plus, but only the BEST players should be considered. This is nearly as bad as Matt Cockbain being included in the shadow train-on squad. I think even Connolly realised how dumb that was once the ARC began and Cockbain was being outplayed by guys who've barely had Super 14 EXPERIENCE.

 

[Brodizzle]

I think the selectors have shown in the past that they go for the safe option, despite the players not really being what is needed, example. Cordingley seemingly being chosen as Gregans successor despite Cordingly being not so much behind Gregan into retirement....

To be honest, if we get beaten by England that could be a blessing in disguise, it will hopefully shake things up and hopefully shift the power away from the 'old boys' and towards the innovative Australians who know who to pick, know who to develop, the ARC has shown the potential is very good in Australian rugby....

I wouldn't select Cross in the team, despite me being a Force supporter Cross is very much a leaguie, all be it a good one. He played some pretty terrible games at the start of this ARC season and he would get carved up against a World Cup opponent..

 

[melon]

Why is everyone having a cry about Turinui??!!

Against decent defences, Turinui will perform a lot better than the likes of Beale and Cross who are both smaller and infinitely less experienced.

 

[aussie1st]

Experience? Barnes had no experience going into this WC, going into the quarter final he only has 2 yet he has proven to be a hit.

 

[melon]

Forget about Barnes. He has proved himself and I say well done and I wish him a long and fruitful Career. Now back to the issue.

Turinui is the right man for the job. Stuff Beale.

 

[candybum]

theyre selecting him as a number 8 replacement lol

 

[melon]

theyre selecting him as a number 8 replacement lol [/b]

Australia have enough forwards as it is. I guess the need for standby backs is seen to be more important.

 

[The TRUTH]

What Wally and RaR said.

Turinui is popular, respected, and an excellent leader.He's also playing some damn good footy at the moment.

He won't get any game time unless something dramatic happens so i don't see what all the whinging is about.

Cross has done nothing what-so-ever to justify a call up and Beale is too flakey.

 

[Fushitsusha]

Turinui has done nothing what-so-ever to justify a call up.
[/b]

Fixed.

 

[melon]

<div class='quotemain'>
Turinui has done nothing what-so-ever to justify a call up.
[/b]

Fixed. [/b][/quote]

 

[Dddooommm123]

i think its quiet a good choice, if i was to pick another flyhalf specialist i wouldnt know who to pick, we have enough fowards and i doubt he might even play i heard them say his there to cover 12 but we got staniforth and im sure aac to do that, but from what ive seen in ARC turinui is going good.

it will be such a task to ask beale to come and play in a WC with QF and possibly more to come. i dont know why everyone is saying cross, i didnt get to see much of him in super 14 so maybe i just saw his not so good games because i remember him getting caught out on defence and running sideways.

 

[mck]

This is a dud pick if you ask me. Not that it would matter - Turinui won't get any game time anyway, but I would've liked to see Beale come up. I'm sure he could handle the pressure, and he can in fact cover centre and wing, unbeknown to many. However, I suppose his defence is a concern..