Wallabies to throw six-cap front row into Roses fray
PEKAHOU COWAN is hoping to play three matches in a week to help the Wallabies overcome dire front-row problems that will force them to field a raw Test pack against England in Perth on Saturday night.
After Ben Alexander became the latest leading Australian front-rower to be sidelined - he could be out for up to six weeks with a grade-two medial ligament strain - the Wallabies are likely to select the front-row combination of props Cowan and Salesi Ma'afu and hooker Saia Faingaa, a trio boasting a combined six Test caps.
Cowan is the most obvious contender to take Alexander's spot, meaning that, having played 30 minutes as a replacement in Australia's 49-3 win over Fiji in Canberra on Saturday night, he will now start for the Australian Barbarians against England in tomorrow night's match in Perth, then reappear four days later at Subiaco Oval.
This does not bother the Western Force prop-cum-hooker, who before devoting himself to rugby was a promising golfer at the Long Reef club in Sydney.
''My main focus will be on Tuesday when we play England, but if I do get another opportunity on Saturday, I will be very happy,'' Cowan said yesterday in Canberra before the team headed for Perth. ''Everyone knows we have a fairly inexperienced pack, but the enthusiasm and excitement we have will put us in good stead come Tuesday and Saturday.''
When asked if his body was up to three matches in a week, Cowan said: ''Three games will be quite a few, but I will be very happy if that happens. I would play five in a week if given the opportunity.''
There is even a possibility Queensland Reds prop Ben Daley will appear on the Test bench, if he overcomes his arm problem. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said that although Daley was not playing in the Barbarians game, he should not be ruled out of contention for Saturday's Test.
And while hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was sighted at yesterday's Canberra training throwing into the lineouts, he is still at least a week away from being considered for Test selection because of his shoulder and leg injuries.
Adam Ashley-Cooper's absence - his sprained ankle could sideline him for a fortnight - will be easier to manage, with Drew Mitchell expected to slot into the wing spot against England on Saturday.
Ashley-Cooper damaged his ankle when tackled from behind in the second half but, before leaving the field, was one of Australia's more accomplished attacking players.
''It was a bit of a scrappy game on Saturday night, but that's to be expected as we've only been together a week with new combinations,'' Ashley-Cooper said yesterday. ''It did take 40 minutes for us to click. But with the talent we've got, and the depth, it's a really exciting time for us.''
Halfback Will Genia will also be handled cautiously, despite his assertion that he would be available for the Perth Test.
''We want these blokes to return to train to play, as opposed to simply return, put their hands up, and hope to play,'' Deans said. ''That doesn't cut it in the long run, because you end up lurching from crisis to crisis. We've just got to get a background of quality preparation to avoid that situation.''
Deans said Genia was ahead of schedule. ''But he's going to get a volume of quality work in this week, and then we'll make a decision. We want him to be 100 per cent, and 100 per cent for a period of time.''
The Sydney Test against England on June 19 is a more likely return date.
