Tahu to make first Wallaby start

DURBAN // Timana Tahu will start a rugby union international for the first time on Saturday after being named at inside centre for Australia in their Tri-Nations match against South Africa. The 27-year-old Tahu, who has previously played rugby league internationals, was included in the place of injured Berrick Barnes. Meanwhile, the suspended flanker Rocky Elsom had his one-match ban for dangerous play at a line-out overturned on appeal today, making him available to coach Robbie Deans for selection in a team that features five changes to the squad that beat the world champions 27-15 last weekend.

The Wallabies fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper comes in for Drew Mitchell having recovered from a broken hand, Hugh McMeniman returns at lock for the injured Daniel Vickerman, while Phil Waugh and Tatafu Polota-Nau come in for George Smith and Stephen Moore respectively. The Springboks have picked Brian Mujati to start in place of suspended tighthead prop CJ van der Linde, who was suspended for four weeks for dangerous play in last weekend's defeat.

Odwa Ndungane is selected on the right wing in place of the injured J P Pietersen, and three more changes were made to the bench as the world champions attempt to get their Tri-Nations campaign back on track. Jannie du Plessis, Ruan Pienaar and Danie Rossouw will be on the bench as replacements for Mujati, the injured Francois Steyn and loose forward Joe van Niekerk respectively. Bryan Habana is still not considered for selection because of a hamstring tear, and a concussion to Steyn means South Africa will lack specialist cover for flyhalf Butch James, although Pienaar can cover flyhalf if needed.

Adam Ashley-Cooper; Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri; Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley; Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Brett Sheehan, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.

Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Andries Bekker, Brian Mujati, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery. *AP

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