Coach tips Gregan to stay Wallabies captain

Under-fire Wallabies captain and Brumbies linchpin George Gregan is being kept in cotton wool until the start of the Super 14 rugby competition but his coach is backing him to have a stellar 2006 season and retain his test armband.

Gregan is among the senior Brumbies who will not line up in the pre-season hitout against the Waratahs in Wollongong on Saturday.

Brumbies coach Lawrie Fisher will rest 10 of his 14 capped Wallabies.

Gregan will not be on the paddock until next month's competition opener against expansion team Western Force but Fisher has no doubts about the veteran half's match-readiness.

"George is a superb athlete," Fisher said.

"The amount of work he is doing here, his passing and speed work and all those things, he is operating on a full training load, he just won't get the knocks of trials.

"When you've been playing for that period of time (111 Super caps) I don't think you need that."

The Brumbies boss did not hesitate in backing his halfback to retain the captain's armband for the Wallabies.

"Certainly at this stage. All he has to do is just play the appropriate football during the Super 14 and I'll certainly back him to have a very good (competition)," Fisher said.

"If he does that he deserves to retain his position."

The Brumbies had a horror season last year with injuries claiming many senior players.

But Fisher said today that he was expecting all to be fit for the opening match in Perth.

Stephen Larkham (shoulder) was only "touch and go" less than a fortnight ago but Fisher said that the classy five-eighth had a medical review today and was given the all clear to start against the Force.

Mat Giteau (knee) also came through a challenging fitness test today "with flying colours" and will line up as No 12 on February 4.

"Barring injuries between now and then all players should be available for selection," Fisher said.

Saturday's clash with last year's competition finalists will be a chance to blood the rookies and junior players, Fisher said.

One of the few familiar faces at WIN Stadium will be 46-Test veteran Bill Young, who will take to the field for the first time since the final match of last year's Tri-Nations.

Young has bulked up since his last run-out, gaining eight kilos since October.

"It was certainly an aim of mine to gain a bit of size and conditioning but I'll see how I go (carrying the extra weight) in a game situation this weekend," Young said.

ACT squad:

Forwards: Bill Young, Guy Shepherdson, Nic Henderson, Salesi Maafu, John Ulugia, Saia Faingaa, David Palavi, James McCormack, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Alister Campbell, Richard Stanford, Dan Guiness, Daniel Heenan, Peter Kimlin, Ben White, James Stonham, Julian Salvi. Backs: Luke Burgess, Patrick Phibbs, Gene Fairbanks, Luke Gray, Joel Wilson, Tim Curran, Anthony Faingaa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Owens, Ben Batger, Ben Johnson, Jason Lagaali, John Williams, Francis Fainifo, Christian Lialiifano.

- AAP