Rugby-Wallabies rest Reds, Elsom returns to face Samoa

SYDNEY, July 13 (Reuters) - Australia have rested the halfback pairing of Quade Cooper and Will Genia for their first test of the year against Samoa on Sunday but Rocky Elsom returns from injury to captain the side announced on Wednesday.

Cooper and Genia, an integral part of the Queensland Reds team that won the Super rugby title last weekend, will be replaced by the experienced Matt Giteau at flyhalf and Nick Phipps, who will make his first test start at scrumhalf.

Digby Ioane, who will play on the left wing with James O'Connor on the right, is the only Reds player in the starting Wallabies line-up with four on the bench for the Tri-Nations warm-up.

"It's not only emotional, it's also physical, they've gone three weeks longer than anyone else and three weeks of high intensity rugby," coach Robbie Deans told reporters at the team's training base.

"Will and Quade have played every game and they're at the heart of the decision making so there's a lot of demands on them. They're due for a bit of respite before they re-engage."

In addition to flanker Elsom playing only his second match of the year, Mark Gerrard at fullback and 55-cap lock Dan Vickerman on the replacements bench return after several years out of test rugby.

Gerrard's selection is a chance for the 28-year-old to secure a "core role" in the squad, Deans said, and means a spot on the bench for incumbent Kurtley Beale.

"People like to suggest there's a fifteen that's best and they should play every week, but that doesn't happen," Deans added.

"It doesn't happen for a reason, because with the demands, performance ebbs and flows. And we're looking for a group to hit the ground this week full of noise and represent Australia. Period."

BIG TASTE

Versatile back-rower Matt Hodgson gets his chance with a start at openside flanker but Deans said his Western Force team mate David Pocock would be available for the first Tri-Nations test against the Springboks in Sydney on July 23.

"For some of the individuals concerned, it's an opportunity, and none of them will be presuming there's more to come," Deans said. "The campaign this year is brief, a guaranteed nine fixtures. Total. So we've got to get on with it."

Elsom has been struggling with an ankle injury he sustained in his only outing for the ACT Brumbies this season.

"I feel fine," he said. "It's only just better so I've been limited for while but that's normal at this stage. I'll go as hard as I can and see where I am when I'm out there."

Prop Benn Robinson was ruled out for the season after injuring his knee in training on Tuesday which might see Al Baxter make his return to the international arena to win his 70th Wallabies cap at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

With Ben Daley set to miss the Samoa and South Africa matches, New Zealand-born prop Pek Cowan has also been called up to the squad as front row cover.

"Al's had a big taste, Pek less of one, but when you trail a lifeline, when you thought your days were done, there's not too many who don't respond under that situation," said Deans.

Team - Mark Gerrard, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Matt Giteau, Nick Phipps, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson, Rocky Elsom (captain), Nathan Sharpe, Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu.

Replacements: James Hanson, Dan Vickerman, Scott Higginbotham, Beau Robinson, Will Genia, Kurtley Beale