9 November 2006
Graham Croker
Sydney University second-rower Al Campbell has been selected on the Wallaby bench for Saturday night's Test against Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome.
Campbell's selection comes at the expense of his Sydney University team-mate Daniel Vickerman, who injured his shoulder during last Saturday's 29-all draw with Wales at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Vickerman has returned to Australia to have a shoulder reconstruction that could keep him out of the opening rounds of the 2007 Super 14 competition.
Campbell, who led Australia A this season, has been biding his time for a return to the Test side after making his debut against France in Brisbane on 2005.
Meanwhile, after captaining Australia for the first time in last Saturday's draw, Sydney University flanker Phil Waugh has been rested for Saturday night's encounter in Rome. Waugh led from the front against Wales, but was disappointed Australia let Wales back into the game after leading 17-6 well into the second half.
Sydney University number eight David Lyons missed out on a bench spot for the Rome Test, but former Sydney University hooker Brendan Cannon, who moved to Perth last season to join the Western Force franchise, has been selected for Saturday night.
Australia: Chris Latham; Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Stephen Larkham, Lote Tuqiri; Mat Rogers, Matt Giteau; Wycliff Palu, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Mark Chisholm, Nathan Sharpe, Guy Shepherdson, Brendan Cannon, Al Baxter. Res: Stephen Moore, Nic Henderson, Al Campbell, Stephen Hoiles, Josh Valentine, Mark Gerrard, Cameron Shepherd.
Vickerman was not the only Sydney University forward to be injured last Saturday. Second-rower Will Caldwell suffered a badly broken arm against Japan while playing for the Prime Minister's XV.
Caldwell is expected to undergo surgery this week to insert a plate in his arm. It is likely that he'll be out for 8-10 weeks.
New South Wales Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said he was disappointed for both players. "Will had a really good year developmentally for NSW and to have this happen in a match like this is extremely frustrating."
When learning of Vickerman's injury, McKenzie said: "Dan's shoulder has been the subject of much concern and discussion between the Waratahs and the Wallabies since mid-July and unfortunately I'm not surprised to be receiving this news. The timing for Dan's reconstruction is the worst-case scenario for the Waratahs given he'll be ruled out of Rugby until May."
In the meantime, the Waratahs other strike second-rower, Alex Kanaar, yet another from the Sydney University forward factory, is returning from injury which has seen him sidelined for five months.