Sport
Alexander's Test debut
Pranesh Nageshwar
01Jul08
Ben Alexander makes his debut for the Australian Wallabies. PIC: Brent McGilvary
DURAL rugby union prop Ben Alexander made his Australian Wallabies Test debut on Saturday night entering the match against France in the 59th minute of the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series played at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Alexander, 23, replaced Benn Robinson to win his first Test cap when Australia was leading 24-6. Australia went on to win 34-13.
The 120kg prop came in to the team for the Test after Matt Dunning was ruled out late with a thigh injury.
Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said Alexander was brought back to Sydney from Brisbane where the Australian A side were in camp to play Fiji before making the decision to withdraw Dunning from the Test.
Alexander only found out about his likely Test debut when coach Deans announced it before Wallabies training.
"No prior warning. There were a few bum taps and then we got on with it," Alexander said.
He made his Super 14 debut with the Brumbies in early 2008, after being contracted to the Brumbies Academy.
A serious leg injury ruled him out of the 2006 season, and in 2007, Alexander played with the Western Sydney Rams in the Australian Rugby Championships. He also gained international experience with Bedford Blues in England's National One competition.
