Rugby: Sharpe latest casualty as Deans wields the axe

Nathan Sharpe of the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images

Lock Nathan Sharpe and utility back Matt Giteau are leading casualties for the Wallabies' latest bid to seize the Bledisloe Cup.

Sharpe has played 95 tests and Giteau 92 but coach Robbie Deans bypassed all that experience, as he chose his 24-man squad to head across the Tasman to play the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.

James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Dan Vickerman and Sitaleki Timani are the locking quartet, while Pat McCabe and Anthony Faingaa appear to be shooting for the second five-eighths role.

Sharpe and Giteau have been flirting with their continued Wallaby selection for several seasons as Deans searched for players he felt would give the squad greater presence and commitment.

Horwill's recovery from the knee injury that curtailed his play last year, the return of Vickerman from university studies overseas and the promise shown by youngsters Simmons and Timani has squeezed Sharpe out of the touring group.

Sharpe's Super 15 coach Richard Graham still felt the lock's experience would be invaluable in a World Cup campaign. "I think his ability to get the side across the gain line was noted during Super rugby," Graham said.

"Come World Cup time, I'd expect him to be in that squad of 30, but right now having not spoken to him, it's really hard to speculate on the reasons why he's not in the side."

The Wallabies are expected to carry the same starting XV which began their win against the Springboks. Fullback Kurtley Beale has shaken off a slew of minor injuries and declared himself fit for the test as the Wallabies look to break a hoodoo at Eden Park which stretches back to 1986.

Vickerman and Timani are joined by other squad changes Lachie Turner and Luke Burgess.