30 Oct 2008

Mortlock moved to cover Carter for Bledisloe Cup test

3:44 pm on 30 October 2008

The Wallabies captain Striling Mortlock has been shuffled into second five to counter the All Blacks moving Dan Carter to the midfield for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong.

Mortlock usually plays at centre but has been moved in one after the All Blacks opted to play Stephen Donald at first five and Carter at second.

All up Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has made five changes to the side which lost the tri nations decider in Brisbane last month.

Winger Drew Mitchell, number eight Richard Brown, flanker Dean Mumm, lock Mark Chisholm and halfback Luke Burgess all come into the side.

Lote Tuqiri, Wycliff Palu, Hugh McMeniman and James Horwill were all left out because of injuries while halfback Sam Cordingley has been demoted to the bench.

The uncapped flanker David Pocock has also been included among the reserves along with second five Berrick Barnes.

As holders, New Zealand have already retained the Bledisloe Cup for another season after winning two of their three meetings with the Wallabies, but Deans says the Australians are still desperate to win their first clash in Asia.