By Julian Linden
SYDNEY (Reuters) - The next rugby World Cup is still more than two years away but Australia and Italy plan to use Saturday's first test at Canberra to get an early start on their preparations.
Australia have picked teenage fullback James O'Connor for his first test start while Italy selected former Australia rugby league international Craig Gower in their lineup as they also look ahead to 2011 in New Zealand.
O'Connor made his test debut off the bench against Italy last year but the exciting 18-year-old has made such a big impression this year that coach Robbie Deans wants to fast track his exposure to international rugby.
"He's clearly a talent but you need more than that," Deans said.
"He's now going into a context that's distinct from anything he's played to date, there'll be less time and space so his decision making will become a priority from this point in."
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O'Connor replaced Adam Ashley-Cooper in one of two changes to the side that started in last weekend's 55-7 demolition of the Barbarians in Sydney.
It was an impressive start to the year for the Wallabies as they piled on eight tries against a Barbarians side that beat England a week earlier.
The only sour note was a shoulder injury to Matt Hodgson, who has been replaced by Dean Mumm, another player the Australians want to use more in their buildup to the World Cup.
"We're building one or two extra players in every position and that's what you need," assistant coach Jim Williams told reporters.
"You're going to need that depth of quality of player in these years leading into the World Cup and particularly going into that World Cup year."
'DEMORALISING EXPERIENCE'
The Australians are overwhelming favourites to win on Saturday, and again in Melbourne a week later.
The Wallabies have won all 10 of their previous matches with the Azzurri, who finished bottom of Europe's Six Nations this year.
Italy also have a test scheduled against New Zealand but their South African coach Nick Mallett has questioned the value of touring the Southern Hemisphere for his developing side.
"If we lose by 50-100 points in any of the three games, it's very difficult to say to the players, 'Listen, you can learn from this'....it's a demoralising experience," he said.
Mallett has tried to strengthen his team by choosing Gower, who once captained Australia in rugby league and skippered the Penrith Panthers to the 2003 NRL premiership.
Gower quit rugby league two years ago to play club rugby in France and qualified to play for Italy through his Italian-born grandfather.
He was one of two Australian-born players selected by Mallett for the match, joining fullback Luke McLean, who will earn his ninth cap.
The inclusion of Gower has made the Australians wary, particularly after they struggled to beat Italy 30-20 the last time they met in Padova last year.
The big Italian forwards gave the Wallabies a torrid workout and it was only a brilliant solo try from Quade Cooper that saved the Australians.
"They take a lot of pride from their set-piece," Australia hooker Stephen Moore said.
"They've got a passion for scrummaging and now that the new laws allowing mauling to come back in, I think you'll see them doing a lot of that as well.
"It's going to be a big battle for us up front and we wouldn't want any less. We're really excited about that."
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
