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Australian coach Michael Cheika has named his Wallabies side for the third and final Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand at Eden Park, with a major reshuffle of the backline taking place from the team which was too good for Argentina in their last outing.
Melbourne Rebels utility Reece Hodge has been shifted to his preferred inside-centre position, partnering Bernard Foley, who will line up at fly-half.
Quade Cooper, who has worn the number 10 jersey for much of the Rugby Championship, has been dropped to the bench.
Wallabies defence coach Nathan Grey had earlier sung the praises of Hodge, touting the versatile back as a possible starter at inside-centre before the team flew to New Zealand on Thursday.
“His skill set, he’s a big body, he carries the ball very well and he’s got a good passing game that he uses and he’s got good speed, so all those attributes are very positive to have in a 12,” Grey said.
“He defends there, in at 12 anyway for us, so he’s used to being in that environment.”
Taking Hodge’s place on the wing is ACT Brumbies flyer Henry Speight, who will make his first appearance for the Wallabies since Australia’s group-stage clash against Uruguay at last year’s World Cup.
NSW Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps has also been included in the run-on side following Will Genia’s return to France, while superstar flanker David Pocock will make his return from a broken hand from the bench.
Pocock’s inability to break into the starting side will see Cheika take the same back row into the Bledisloe III clash as he did for the win at Twickenham against Argentina, with Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm and Lopeti Timani all retaining their spots in the side.
That continuity has been applied to the rest of the forward pack as well, with Cheika deciding to stick with the same front and second rows that got the job done against Argentina.
Stephen Moore skippers the side from hooker, with Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu named as the props, while inexperienced pair Rory Arnold and Adam Coleman will walk out into the intimidating atmosphere at Eden Park as the starting locks.
While there have been a number of changes to the Wallabies backline, out-of-form fullback Israel Folau has not been affected, with Cheika persisting with the Waratahs star at fullback. Dane Haylett-Petty has retained his spot alongside Folau on the wing, and Samu Kerevi will once again line up at outside centre.
Rather than naming an extended bench ahead of the All Blacks clash, Cheika named just the eight reserves after he delayed the naming of the side by a day. Rob Simmons is the only lock on the bench, while Nick Frisby and Sefa Naivalu join Cooper as the backs on the pine.
Barnstorming Brumbies centre Tevita Kurindrani heads the list of omitted players, with loose forward Leroy Houston, lock Kane Douglas, versatile forward Scott Fardy and the aforementioned Genia also dropping out of the side.
The final Bledisloe Cup match will be played at Eden Park on Saturday, October 22, starting at 5:35pm (AEDT).
1. Scott Sio (24 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (111 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (72 Tests)
4. Rory Arnold (5 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (6 Tests)
6. Dean Mumm (52 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (60 Tests)
8. Lopeti Timani (2 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (47 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (36 Tests)
11. Henry Speight (5 Tests)
12. Reece Hodge (5 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (7 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (9 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (47 Tests)
Reserves
16. James Hanson (11 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (3 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (4 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (65 Tests)
20. David Pocock (60 Tests)
21. Nick Frisby (2 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (63 Tests)
23. Sefa Naivalu (1 Test)
Ins: Henry Speight, Sefanaia Naivalu, Rob Simmons, David Pocock, Nick Frisby
Outs: Tevita Kuridrani, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Leroy Houston, Will Genia
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.