Row over Springbok squad clouds duo's home farewell

Tri-Nations: The final home appearance of two of Australia's greatest players has been overshadowed by a bitter off-field row with the visiting South Africans.

George Gregan and Stephen Larkham will make their last appearances on home soil for the Wallabies in today's Tri-Nations clash at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

The Australian Rugby Union is expecting a massive crowd to commemorate the careers of Gregan and Larkham although the build-up has been dominated by a war of words over the selection of the Springboks team.

In an attempt to keep their best players fresh for the World Cup in France later this year, the South Africans left their best 20 players at home, triggering a furious reaction from the Australians and a defiant response from Springboks coach Jake White.

"Personally, I felt that was quite demeaning to the players we had brought on tour," White wrote in his column on the South African rugby website (www.sarugby.net). "We believe in them and what they can offer South Africa . . . They will run on to the field to prove to all and sundry that they are no second-rate . . . How anybody could call them 'second-string' baffles me."

South Africa beat Australia 22-19 in Cape Town last month but the Wallabies will start as overwhelming favourites today following their surprise win over New Zealand last weekend. The Australians made three forced changes to the side that beat the All Blacks, number eight Stephen Hoiles and hooker Adam Freier replacing the injured Wycliff Palu and Stephen Moore.

Mark Gerrard was also called in for suspended winger Lote Tuqiri, who was banned for two games for missing a training session after a night out celebrating the win over New Zealand.

Scrumhalf Gregan was cleared to play his 133rd Test after overcoming a leg injury. Outhalf Larkham, who will earn his 100th cap, joins Gregan and David Campese as the only Australians to reach the milestone.

AUSTRALIA: J Huxley; M Gerrard, S Mortlock (capt), M Giteau, A Ashley-Cooper, S Larkham; G Gregan, M Dunning. A Freier, G Shepherdson, N Sharpe, D Vickerman, R Elsom, G Smith, S Hoiles. Replacements: S Hardman, A Baxter, H McMeniman, D Lyons, P Waugh, S Staniforth, D Mitchell.

SOUTH AFRICA: B Fortuin; B Paulse, W Murray, W Olivier, JP Pietersen; D Hougaard, R Pienaar; CJ van der Linde, G Botha, J Du Plessis, J Ackermann, J Muller, W van Heerden, P Wannenburg, B Skinstad (capt). Replacements: B du Plessis, E Andrews, A van den Berg, J Cronje, M Claassens, P Grant, J Pretorius.

Referee: P Honiss (New Zealand).