Wallabies call on George Smith for decider

Robbie Deans has called on George Smith as he named his Wallabies side to face the British & Irish Lions in the Sydney series decider on Saturday.
This will be the first Test start in four years for the 32-year-old who has 110 caps to his name already. Back in 2001, the openside played in all three Tests against the Lions as a 20-year-old and his last involvement with the Green and Gold was in a 33-12 win over Wales at the Millenium.
After spells in France and Japan, he returned to the Brumbies at the start of the Super Rugby season. He was in line to start the first Test following some impressive displays but suffered a knee injury in the lead up that ruled him out.
Deans is expecting Smith to bring his “class” a the breakdown taking over from Michael Hooper who struggled in the second Test last week.
Deans said: “He’s class, isn’t he? To have achieved what George has throughout his career, and return to play at the highest level, after such a long break, is a testament to the quality of the man, both as a person, and as a player.”
Hooper drops to the bench as a result and surprisingly, Liam Gill, who had been impressive coming off the bench in the first two Tests, drops out of the matchday 23.
Deans added: “The decision to go with George in no way reflects any dissatisfaction with the way either Michael or Liam have played.
“But it has been a tough series – the first two games have been rugged, especially at the breakdown – and we feel that the combination of experience and fresh legs that George brings is the right way to go for this week.
“His expertise in the contact zone, where timing, judgement and physicality is everything, is going to be critical. Being able to call on George allows us to lighten the load on Michael while retaining the ability to inject him into what is sure to be a fast-paced and highly physical contest.”
Smith is the only change to starting XV but Force No.8 Ben McCalman replaces centre Rob Horne on the bench that includes six forwards with only scrum-half Nick Phipps and flyer Jesse Mogg covering the backs.
Australia: Kurtley Beale; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander; Kane Douglas, James Horwill (Capt.); Ben Mowen, George Smith, Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Jesse Mogg.