MELBOURNE, July 27- Australia Tuesday made two changes for this weekend's crunch Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand after flyhalf Quade Cooper was suspended for a spear tackle.Coach Robbie Deans brought in Berrick Barnes at inside centre, while Matt Giteau returns to flyhalf. Stephen Moore moves from the bench to replace Saia Faingaa at hooker after recovering from a broken jaw.
Australia shocked South Africa 30-13 in Brisbane last week, dramatically raising the stakes for Saturday’s game after the All Blacks opened their campaign with two wins against the reigning Tri-Nations champions.
Giteau is Australia’s third most experienced flyhalf after Stephen Larkham and Michael Lynagh, and played alongside Barnes in Deans’ first Test as coach, in 2008 against Ireland.
Faingaa and his twin Anthony were both named in the reserves, giving them the chance of becoming the 40th set of brothers to play for Australia.
Cooper is appealing his two-week suspension for the tackle on South Africa’s Morne Steyn.
Australia (15-1)
Adam Ashley Cooper, James O’Connor, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma’afu, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson
Reserves: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Kurtley Beale