PNC- Australia A ready to tackle Fiji

Australia A are now in Brisbane preparing for their next PNC clash against Fiji at Ballymore on Sunday. With Robbie Deans releasing Wallabies squad members to Australia A to maintain their match sharpness, Australia A coach Phil Mooney again has a very strong squad at his disposal.
 
The other teams in the PNC saw what Australia was capable of last weekend at North Sydney as the “A” team ran in 14 tries to demolish Tonga 90-7 in front of loads of fans at the picturesque North Sydney Oval. Union convert, Timana Tahu, was the star of the show setting up six tries and also bagging one of his own in a virtuoso display at inside centre, while the match also saw the return of World Cup Wallabies Drew Mitchell and Hugh McMeniman from injury.
 
In 2007, Australia A were lucky to escape Suva with a 14-all draw after the Fijians threw everything at the visitors in what would have been a famous victory for the Islanders. Knowing that Fiji are capable of beating any team in world rugby on its day, Australia A are firmly focusing at the job at hand and not letting thoughts stray to the potential title decider next week against NZ Maori in Sydney.
 
In team news, Phil Mooney has brought back Ben Lucas at scrumhalf, after the young Queensland Red recovered from a knee injury suffered against Japan in round one, and Mark Gerrard will take his place on the bench after missing two rounds with a shoulder injury.

Fiji will be quietly hiding from all the hype around the Aussie team and their dominant display last weekend, this will suit the visitors and they will be rearing to fly in this encounter. Inspirational captain Mosese Rauluni will make his last game in a Fiji jersey and every kilo of muscle in the Fiji side will want to send him off as a winner. The clash of the centres looks to be the front up of the tournament, so much power and so much skill just about to collide. The tight 5 battle will be key, but the inside centres looms as the place where real damage will be done by one team. If they can get inroads in this area then the abundance of pace can be released to dance the grass of Ballymore.