Flanker George Smith will make a sensational return to test rugby tomorrow after being named to start for Australia in the decisive third test against the British and Irish Lions.
Smith bowed out of international rugby in 2009 after making 110 appearances for Australia – including all three tests against the 2001 British Lions – but will now win his 111th cap against the tourists at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.
Once one of the best openside flankers in the world, Smith stormed back into contention for this year’s Lions tour on the back of some brilliant performances for the ACT Brumbies.
He looked like being ruled out by a knee injury on the eve of the initial squad announcement but a remarkably quick recovery saw him called into the squad after Australia’s first test defeat.
Coach Robbie Deans said it had not been a difficult decision to make the change, which was the only one to his starting line-up from the side that beat the British and Irish Lions 16-15 in the second test in Melbourne last weekend.
“Pretty straightforward really, it’s not a big decision to select George,” Deans told reporters.
“He’s a great bloke to have around. He’s a quality bloke aside from the game and obviously he’s very experienced so he will bring a lot of composure to the group.
“He’s better than when he left to be frank. He’s played some remarkable rugby in Super Rugby and we’ll get the benefit of that experience.”
The 32-year-old’s surprise selection sees incumbent openside Michael Hooper dropped to the bench and Liam Gill missing out altogether – a tough call on a player whose late line-out steal played a major role in Australia winning the second test.
Deans has gambled on a 6-2 split in favour of the forwards on the bench with only backup scrumhalf Nick Phipps and uncapped fullback Jesse Mogg to cover the backline.
Even with three backs on the bench in the 23-21 first test defeat in Brisbane, the Wallabies were left shorthanded after three backs went off injured with Hooper ending up playing in the centres.
Deans said his bench had everything he needed and dismissed concerns that centre Adam Ashley-Cooper was carrying an injury.
“He’s great. He’s 100 per cent,” he said.
“We’ve got plans, don’t worry about that. And they’re good ones.”