Australia's forgotten man Berrick Barnes has been recalled to the starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations game against New Zealand in Melbourne. Barnes, who has endured a dramatic fall from vice-captain to bench player this season, will make his second start of the Test campaign at inside centre in the absence of suspended playmaker Quade Cooper. Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes will combine in the Australian backline for the first time this year in Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand.With Quade Cooper unavailable through suspension, Giteau moves in one position to five-eighth while Barnes gains his second start of 2010 at inside centre. Only Stephen Larkham (87) and Michael Lynagh (64) have appeared mores times as a fly-half for Australia than Giteau, who has played 39 of his 82 Tests in the position. Barnes has played 17 of his previous 23 Tests as an inside centre, replacing Giteau in that position for the final eight minutes of last Saturday's Tri Nations opener in Brisbane. Faingaa has been named on the reserves bench alongside twin brother Anthony, who earlier appeared for the Australian Barbarians in both of their tour matches against England. It is not all bad news for the Faingaa family on the selection front, with Saia's twin brother Anthony in line to make his Test debut after being elevated to the bench. Should the Faingaas take the field, they will become the 40th set of brothers to have appeared for Australia in Test matches.The only other change to the bench sees Matt Hodgson return from a groin strain at the expense of his Western Force team-mate Ben McCalman.The night will be a special one for lock Nathan Sharpe as he ties the Australian record held by former skipper John Eales for the most caps earned by a Wallabies second rower. Sharpe, who made his debut against France in Melbourne eight years ago, will be lining up in his 84th Test.
Australia: Adam Ashley Cooper, James O'Connor, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Salesi Maafu, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom (capt), David Pocock.
Replacements: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Kurtley Beale.
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