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Michael Cheika has unveiled an experimental side for the Wallabies’ upcoming clash against the Barbarians in Sydney on Saturday, naming Nick Phipps as captain and regular fullback Israel Folau on the wing.
Cheika flagged a positional switch for Folau earlier in the week, and his shift to the wing will see Karmichael Hunt line up in the fullback jersey, giving the clearest indication yet that the Queensland Reds man is in line to nab the 15 jersey on the upcoming Spring Tour.
Folau will not be a part of the end-of-year tour, with Saturday afternoon’s clash to be his last match of the year.
Hunt and Folau will be joined in the backline by Test regulars Henry Speight and Samu Kerevi on the wing and at outside centre respectively, while Billy Meakes has been given the nod at inside centre.
Queensland Reds playmaker Duncan Paia’aua will start at five-eighth, while experienced Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps will captain the side in the number nine jersey.
There is a similar mix of youth and experience in the forwards. Ned Hanigan, who has been a controversial selection in the number six jersey for much of the year, has been selected in the back row alongside Lopeti Timani and Jack Dempsey, the latter of whom is fresh off a man-of-the-match performance in Australia’s recent win over the All Blacks.
Giant locks Lukhan Tui and Rory Arnold will start in the second row, while Allan Alaalatoa, Jordan Uelese and Tom Robertson will line up together at the front of the scrum.
On the bench, veteran hooker Stephen Moore will make his final appearance on Australian in the green and gold, joined by Melbourne Rebels pair Tetera Faulkner and Jermaine Ainsley.
Experienced forwards Kane Douglas and Ben McCalman will also start on the pine, as will Joe Powell, Curtis Rona, Izaia Perese.
1. Tom Robertson (NSW Waratahs)
2. Jordan Uelese (Melbourne Rebels)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (vc) (Brumbies)
4. Rory Arnold (Brumbies)
5. Lukhan Tui (Queensland Reds)
6. Ned Hanigan (NSW Waratahs)
7. Jack Dempsey (NSW Waratahs)
8. Lopeti Timani (Melbourne Rebels)
9. Nick Phipps (c) (NSW Waratahs)
10. Duncan Paia’aua (Queensland Reds)
11. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)
12. Billy Meakes (Western Force)
13. Samu Kerevi (vc) (Queensland Reds)
14. Henry Speight (Brumbies)
15. Karmichael Hunt (Queensland Reds)
Reserves
16. Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds)
17. Tetera Faulkner (Melbourne Rebels)
18. Jermaine Ainsley (Melbourne Rebels)
19. Kane Douglas (Queensland Reds)
20. Ben McCalman (Western Force)
21. Joe Powell (Brumbies)
22. Curtis Rona (Western Force)
23. Izaia Perese (Queensland Reds)
1. Pekahou Cowan (Western Force and Australia)
2. Andrew Ready (Queensland Reds)
3. Taniela Tupou (Queensland Reds)
4. Luke Jones (Bordeaux Begles and Australia)
5. Sam Carter (Brumbies and Australia)
6. Isi Naisarani (Western Force)
7. Matt Hogdson (vc) (Western Force and Australia)
8. Wycliff Palu (Toyota Verblitz and Australia)
9. Augustine Pulu (Blues and New Zealand)
10. Quade Cooper (c) (Queensland Reds and Australia)
11. Eto Nabuli (Queensland Reds and Australia)
12. George Moala (Blues and New Zealand)
13. Tom Banks (Brumbies)
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro (NSW Waratahs and Australia)
15. Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs and Samoa)
Reserves
To be confirmed