Shock Call For Rookie Wallaby
Newcastle Herald
Friday June 27, 2008
BEN Alexander's fairytale rise from rugby obscurity continued yesterday when the unheralded prop gained a surprise call-up for Australia's Test against France at ANZ Stadium tomorrow night.
Alexander who has yet to even start a Super 14 match was in camp in Brisbane with the Australia A side when he received an SOS call yesterday to join the Wallabies in Sydney to be on standby for injured tight-head Matt Dunning. Still not expecting to play, the 23-year-old said he was still coming to terms with how Wallabies coach Robbie Deans yesterday broke the news that he had been elevated to the bench after Dunning's withdrawal due to a corked calf. "I didn't get any prior warning," Alexander said. "It was just at training and 'boom': they said, 'You're on the bench'. "I can't comprehend it yet." ? The English Rugby Football Union announced on Wednesday it will probe allegations of player misconduct during England's disastrous two-Test tour to New Zealand. The inquiry will run separately from the Auckland police investigations involving allegations of sexual assault against four England players.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald