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Back-rower Wycliff Palu returns in the only change to the Wallabies starting XV for Saturday night’s Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup series opener against New Zealand in Auckland.
Palu has been included after recovering from a broken hand and will be playing his 29th Test.
He replaces Dean Mumm, with the Western Force loose forward Richard Brown switching from the back of the scrum to the blindside flank position, from where he will start a Test match for the first time.
Mumm is on a bench that features a five-two split, with Queensland Reds halfback Will Genia and 19-year-old James O’Connor the only backline replacements.
The forward-orientated make-up on the bench allows for the inclusion of two openside flankers, David Pocock and Phil Waugh.
The 21-year-old Genia, who is a newcomer to the Wallabies squad for the Tri Nations, will become the 835th player to have appeared for Australia in Test matches should he be required to take the field at Eden Park.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says the selection represents the strongest combination available for what is shaping as the stiffest Test Australia has faced to date in 2009.
“We have made good progress, and the relative consistency of our selection reflects that, but no-one is getting ahead of themselves,” Deans said.
“Playing New Zealand at Eden Park is going to be a major step up on what we have faced so far.
“You only have to look at the history in terms of the All Blacks’ outstanding record at Eden Park and their current circumstance to appreciate the size of the task that is in front of us.”
The Wallabies haven’t won at Eden Park since 1986 and the All Blacks have won their last 10 trans-Tasman Tests in Auckland and have not lost at the ground to anyone since France prevailed 23-20 in 1994, 20-matches ago.
The Wallabies team to play New Zealand in the Tri Nations Series at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday 18 July, 7.35pm kick off, (5.35pm, AEST), is:
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)
14. Lachie Turner (Waratahs)
13. Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, captain)
12. Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
11. Drew Mitchell (Western Force)
10. Matt Giteau (Western Force)
9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
7. George Smith (Brumbies)
6. Richard Brown (Western Force)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
3. Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Run on reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
18. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
19. Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs)
20. David Pocock (Western Force)
21. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
22. James O’Connor (Western Force)
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.