Midfield Ace Back On Deck For Kookaburras
The Age
Thursday January 10, 2002
Daniel Sproule's brief break from the Australian men's team has ended, with the veteran midfielder yesterday included in the squad for the Kookaburras' final tournament before next month's World Cup in Malaysia.
Sproule was one of only two changes to the team for next week's six-nations tournament in Kuala Lumpur, with young striker Craig Victory left out to recover from a torn stomach muscle.
The South Australian is expected to prove his fitness in practice matches against Korea in Melbourne with other remaining players. Victory was replaced in the squad by striker Michael McCann, while Sproule returned in place of fellow Tasmanian Zane Wright.
The 27-year-old pulled out of the team that finished runner-up in last month's Champions Trophy because of job and family commitments.
The six-nations event also features Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Pakistan. Australian coach Barry Dancer is expected to announce his World Cup squad by the end of the month.
Six nations squad: Paul Gaudoin (WA, capt), Brent Livermore (NSW, v-capt), Dean Butler (Qld), Adam Commens (NSW), Liam De Jong (Qld), Lachlan Dreher (Vic), Jamie Dwyer (Qld), Troy Elder (Qld), Bevan George (WA), Mark Hickman (NT), Jeremy Hiskins (Vic), Aaron Hopkins (WA), Michael McCann (NSW), Matthew Smith (NSW), Daniel Sproule (Tas), Ben Taylor (ACT), Scott Webster (WA), Matthew Wells (Tas).
© 2002 The Age