Kefu recalled

Wallabies make one change for semifinal

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Posted: Tuesday October 26, 1999 12:15 PM

Toutai Kefu missed Australia's final Group E game and the quarterfinal after being suspended 14 days for punching. Allsport UK/Allsport

LONDON (AP) -- His suspension complete, Toutai Kefu was recalled Tuesday to Australia's starting lineup for Saturday's World Cup semifinal against South Africa.

Wallaby selectors made one change to the lineup which beat Wales 24-9 in last Saturday's quarterfinal, naming Kefu as first choice No. 8 at the expense of former Springbok skipper Tiaan Strauss.

Kefu missed Australia's final Group E game against the United States and the quarterfinal after being suspended for 14 days for punching during a group game against Ireland.

Strauss, who deputized at No. 8, is not even guaranteed of a place in the Australian squad.

The 33-year-old backrower won't know until Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen names his seven reserves later this week if he's in the squad for the showdown against his former teammates.

Macqeen said Kefu had been Australia's first-choice at the back of the scrum this season and was expected to make a big impact on his return.

Macqueen said Strauss "did a good job against Wales," but added that e was still considering whether to retain him in the squad or opt for the more versatile Mark Connors.

Australia, world champions in 1991, and defending titlist South Africa are rated joint-second favorites to win the World Cup.

Macqueen said the Springboks hit peak form in the their quarterfinal win against England and would provide tough opposition at Twickenham.

"The small things are going to make all the difference on Saturday. We play South Africa quite a lot, and right now, they probably have got the ascendancy on us," he said.

Wallaby skipper John Eales said the Australians would have to improve on their effort against Wales to beat the South Africans or "we'll be out."

"This will be our biggest challenge so far, but I am reasonably happy with how things are going," he said.

Wallaby officials announced Tuesday that Queensland prop Glenn Panoho had been called into the 30-man Australian touring squad to replace injured hooker Phil Kearns.

Kearns, a World Cup winner in '91, sustained a career-threatening injury against Ireland in Dublin and has returned to Australia.

South Africa advanced to the final four with a 44-21 win over England in Paris, with flyhalf Jannie De Beer kicking a world-record five dropped goals in his 34-point haul.

The South African team for the semifinal will be announced Thursday.

Australia's lineup: Matt Burke, Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert, Tim Horan, Joe Roff, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan; Toutai Kefu, David Wilson, Matt Cockbain, John Eales, David Giffin, Andrew Blades, Michael Foley, Richard Harry.

 

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