On the rise through the Pacific Nations Cup

Long-serving winger Lote Tuqiri has been dropped from the Wallabies for their 2009 season-opening match against the Barbarians on Saturday.

Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell were on Tuesday handed the wing spots in coach Robbie Deans' team for the Sydney Football Stadium match, with Tuqiri not even required on the bench. Both of these men nab test match starting spots after powerful Pacific Nations Cup performances last year. Joining them on the rise is Richard Brown, after testing himself last season against the mightiest men in the Pacific, he is now in the boot for the Wallaby pack.

In an interesting twist Rocky Elsom will flex his muscle against his country on the flank for the Babaas. He has been in devastating form in the northern world and will be keen to make a statement that he is home. He has just signed with the Brumbies for next year and under the eyes of Australia and more importantly Robbie Deans, big Rocky will let them know he is alive and ready for a test jersey again.

Western Force loose forward Matt Hodgson gets his first match for the Wallabies after being selected at blindside flanker ahead of NSW's Dean Mumm.

Adam Ashley-Cooper retained the fullback role he filled for most of last season in the face of a challenge from brilliant Western Force teenager James O'Connor who snared a bench spot.

Hodgson partners Force team-mate Richard Brown and veteran flyer George Smith in the Australian backrow.

Stirling Mortlock captains the team from his favoured outside centre position outside Berrick Barnes, five eighth Matt Giteau and halfback Luke Burgess.

In the forward pack, James Horwill is back in the second row after the Queensland Reds captain was forced to miss last year's Spring Tour due to an operation on a foot-ligament injury.

He combines with Nathan Sharpe behind Australia's regular front row from last year of props Al Baxter and Benn Robinson and hooker Stephen Moore.

Deans says the strength of the line-up reflects both the respect with which they hold the Barbarians and a desire to hit the ground running as the Test season looms.

"It's a high quality line-up we are up against," said Deans.

"This will be a Test match in every thing but name."

Deans pointed to December's match between the two teams in London, which was everything but festival-like in nature, as an example of the type of intensity the fans can expect.

"The Barbarians side we faced last year was a strong one.

"For experience across the board, this one is even stronger, and they have the advantage on us, in terms of time together to prepare, having played together last weekend when they beat England."

The Baabaas flexed their muscles at Twickenham last weekend, beating England 33-26.

WALLABIES: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper , 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 George Smith, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 David Pocock, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Quade Cooper,  22 James O'Connor.

text source: rugby.com.au