Gregan benched for landmark game

Australia captain George Gregan has been dropped to the bench for Saturday's second test against England in Melbourne, but is…

Australia captain George Gregan has been dropped to the bench for Saturday's second test against England in Melbourne, but is almost certain to make an appearance and break the world record for international caps.

Gregan equalled England prop Jason Leonard's mark of 119 caps in the 34-3 hammering of the world champions in the opener at Sydney on Sunday, and his demotion is one of three changes made by coach John Connolly.

Stirling Mortlock becomes Australia's 73rd skipper with Queensland's Sam Cordingley coming in to replace Gregan at scrumhalf, ending a six-year absence from the international scene.

Waratahs hooker Adam Freier makes his first appearance in a starting line-up in place of Tai McIsaac, and Mark Chisolm replaces the injured Daniel Heenan at blindside flanker.

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The 30-year-old Cordingley has not added to his haul of five caps since playing against England at Twickenham in 2000 but an outstanding Super 14 season for the struggling Reds has put him back in favour.

"If you told me 12 months ago that I'd be sitting here looking at my first cap in six years I would have called you crazy," Cordingley told reporters.

He pondered retirement after he was axed by Welsh side Swansea and the Reds in 2003, spending 16 months out of the game before returning with French side Grenoble.

He now wants to use Saturday's clash at the Telstra Dome to cement his permanent place at number nine.

"That's what I'm aiming to do," he said. "I don't think anyone on this team aspires to be sitting on the bench."

Connolly said his selection indicated he was assessing options in a number of positions.

"We're trialling through a number of positions," Connolly said. "We just have to build our depth basically. It's a good opportunity for Sam. He's a tough customer. He's got good service and he's got all the skills."

C Latham (Queensland Reds); M Gerrard (ACT Brumbies), S Mortlock (ACT Brumbies, capt), M Rogers (Waratahs), L Tuqiri (Waratahs); S Larkham (Brumbies), S Cordingley (Queensland Reds); G Holmes (Queensland Reds), A Freier (Waratahs), R Blake (Queensland Reds), N Sharpe (Western Force), D Vickerman (Waratahs), M Chisholm (Brumbies), G Smith (Brumbies), R Elsom (Waratahs).

Replacements: J Paul (Brumbies), A Baxter (Waratahs), W Palu (Waratahs), P Waugh (Waratahs), G Gregan (Brumbies), C Rathbone (Brumbies), C Shepherd (Western Force).