Samo puts Wallabies ahead of Fiji
SYDNEY, Australia -- Australia have named five uncapped Brumbies, including England-bound lock Radike Samo, in the 27-man squad for rugby union Tests against Scotland.
The inclusion of Samo is certain to cause friction in the southern hemisphere after the Nadi-born second-rower was also selected by Fiji at the weekend.
Reports said Samo agreed to play for Fiji after signing a contract with English club Newcastle Falcons, but now appears to have changed his mind.
"We're lucky to have him. Radike has been with the Brumbies since 2000, he's always shown plenty of promise and he's indicated he wants to play for the Wallabies," coach Eddie Jones said.
Jones met with Samo before the squad was announced to inform him he was in calculations for the Australian lineup.
Samo is contracted to the Australian Rugby Union until the end of 2004 and qualifies for the Wallabies under residency rules.
Samo had an outstanding season with the ACT Brumbies, culminating in a rampaging run through the Canterbury Crusaders' defense in the 47-38 Super 12 grand final win at Canberra Stadium last Saturday.
Other uncapped Brumbies included in the squad are lock Mark Chisholm, wingers Mark Gerrard and Clyde Rathbone and prop forward Nic Henderson.
The inclusion of Rathbone apparently ends another selection tussle after the former South Africa under-21 captain had been courted by new Springboks coach Jake White to return to his country of birth.
"It's a massive honor and privilege," Rathbone said. "The onus is on all the new guys in the squad to cement their places."
Veteran flanker Owen Finegan, who led the Brumbies in the grand final, didn't earn a recall to Australian duties.
He was a member of the winning World Cup squad in 1999 but was not involved in 2003 when Australia lost in the final last November to England.
Another veteran, fullback Matt Burke, was selected despite being dropped by New South Wales after the 2004 Super 12 season.
His inclusion covers the absence of injured Brumbies center Stirling Mortlock, who missed the Super 12 final with a knee problem and will be unavailable for the first test against Scotland on June 13.
"We have 22 players who were involved in the Rugby World Cup last year and five new guys who will add talent and enthusiasm to the squad," Jones said.
"We've picked the squad on form, from performances during the entire Super 12, but test match rugby is another level of intensity all together," said Jones.
"I'm confident Mark Chisholm, Mark Gerrard, Clyde Rathbone, Nic Henderson and Radike Samo have the ability to play at the next level and it's appropriate to introduce them at this time."
Australian squad: Alastair Baxter, Matthew Burke, Brendan Cannon, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Elton Flatley, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, George Gregan (captain), Justin Harrison, Nic Henderson, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, David Lyons, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, John Roe, Joe Roff, Wendell Sailor, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Bill Young.
