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Rugby Union

Rookie Ioane handed Aussie debut

30/05/2007

Winger Digby Ioane will make his Australia debut against Wales next week as one of five changes rung by coach John Connolly.

The 21-year-old is named in the team for Saturday's second Test in Brisbane alongside returning Dan Vickerman, flanker George Smith and prop Ben Robinson.

New South Wales Waratahs lock Vickerman returns after shoulder reconstruction surgery, while Stephen Larkham will win his 96th cap at fly-half.

Australia won last week's opening Test against Gareth Jenkins' Wales side in a last-gasp 29-23 victory in Sydney.

But Connolly acknowledges his team face a tough test to maintain their impressive record at the Suncorp Stadium against the tourists.

"There's no doubt we have to improve on last week's performance and we want to move on from that and produce a much more disciplined performance this Saturday," the coach said.

"We've made a couple of changes in the forwards and backs which we need to do to look at improving our depth and assessing different players prior to the World Cup, but we're also hoping to build on some of the combinations we used in the first Test."

Australia team to face Wales.

Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Guy Shepherdson, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Wycliff Palu, Matt Giteau, Stephen Larkham, Drew Mitchell, Adam, Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Digby Ioane, Julian Huxley.

(Replacements)

Adam Freier, Matt Dunning, Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles, Phil Waugh, George Gregan, Mark Gerrard.

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