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Michael Cheika has named a side that will be familiar to most fans of the Wallabies to face Fiji in their 2015 Rugby World Cup opener.
It is fairly close to the starting side that took the field in the victory over the All Blacks in a Sydney, with a few notable changes.
Bernard Foley and Will Genia have been preferred as the starting halves pairing, with Matt Giteau given the nod at inside centre.
Nick Phipps is on the bench.
Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu are the preferred starting props, with Kane Douglas earning a spot in the second row. Will Skelton and Dean Mumm are both on the bench, with Mumm presumably covering loose forward positions.
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David Pocock and vice captain Michael Hooper have been named in the same team for the second time, after the tactic proved exceptionally successful against New Zealand.
Rob Horne and Adam Ashley-Cooper will start on the wings, with Kurtley Beale and Matt Toomua the two outside back reserves on the bench.
The Wallabies’ game against Uruguay is just a few days after, and many are expecting a fairly different side to be wheeled out for the Wallabies then.
This side looks to be close to what might be considered the full strength starting XV for Australia.
Michael Cheika didn’t give anything away about the selection process, but he did hail Fiji as a tough opponent.
“We’ve been working hard over the past few months and it’s great be able to finally pick a team and get started,” Cheika said.
“We know Fiji are a good quality Rugby team and in good form. They’ve showed that recently during the Pacific Cup and their opening match against England at this World Cup.
“The players have an enormous amount of respect for them and the way they’re playing the game, especially the improvements in their set piece.
“Our groundwork is done now and we are eager to get into the battle – a battle we know will be very intense against this Fiji side,” said Cheika.
“It’s important to give everyone an opportunity early on. We’ve done that throughout our lead up to this tournament and I believe it’s a good way to go.
“Will and Nick (Phipps) complement one another. Nick is a very effective player and I think we saw that in the South Africa match when he came off the bench and lit up the game.
“Will has returned from injury in great shape and has been training really well since he came back into the squad.”
The Wallabies’ game is on Fox Sports and GEM at 1:30am AEST on Thursday.
Wallabies team to play Fiji at Millennium Stadium on Thursday morning
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Kane Douglas
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. David Pocock
9. Will Genia
10. Bernard Foley
11. Rob Horne
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau
Replacements
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Greg Holmes
19. Will Skelton
20. Dean Mumm
21. Nick Phipps
22. Matt Toomua
23. Kurtley Beale
What do you think of the team Roarers? Is this what you would have chosen?
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.