Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia has been dropped to the bench for Saturday night’s Test against Argentina in Perth.
Genia has been replaced in the starting line-up by Nic White, with Ben Mowen to take over the captaincy after making his Test debut in June.
Quade Cooper has been retained at five-eighth, with Israel Folau again named at fullback.
Prop Ben Alexander replaces Sekope Kepu in the front row after the Wallabies were smashed in the scrum by South Africa last week.
The Wallabies are yet to win a game under new coach Ewen McKenzie, who took over from Robbie Deans following the 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions.
McKenzie said it was a tough call to bench Genia but White deserved the chance.
“The fact that Will has captained his country shows what high regard we hold him in and while he is naturally disappointed I also know how competitive he is and I’ve got no doubts he will train himself to a standstill to bounce back as a better player,” McKenzie said.
“We’ve spoken about what areas we believe he can continue to improve and evolve his game and he was receptive to going back and addressing those things.
“In the end, it wasn’t an easy decision because he is undoubtedly a world class player.
“However, we also feel Nic has earned an opportunity to start and will add his own uniqueness and point of difference to how we want to play this game.
“Nic has had a great season with the Brumbies and has brought his own brand of energy and hard work to the Wallaby group.”
Wallabies squad
James Slipper, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen (capt), Nic White, Quade Cooper, Nick Cummins, Christian Leali’ifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O’Connor, Israel Folau.
Bench: Saia Fainga’a, Scott Sio, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Will Genia, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani.
Mike
Guest
I agree.
Mike
Guest
And that statement is a good thing?
Mike
Guest
Very few people have blamed QC for the Wallabies fortunes so save your breath. A number have been less than complimentary about his performance. Some people still make Quade out to be some sort of rugby God, and that in turn creates its own backlash. At the moment I would play him in front of Toomua, not because MT is a bad player, its just on balance I think Quade's experience wins out.
frank Jobs
Guest
I believe McKenzie has made a statement to world rugby saying that we select on form not pass achievements and i think that is why robbie deans was dropped due to his inability to select on form but on past standards
Mike
Guest
Good point Mike.
Chivas
Guest
That's it. You have a cheek to be stealing someone else's user name. I'm reporting it.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
James Slipper would do a great job...but I'm biased :) Having said that, I would see Slips as a future captain. He's still relatively young and still learning his trade, but it's certainly not out of left field. Not wanting to put the kibosh on him, he also remains relatively injury free match after match.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Touko, have posted repeated suggestions for the last couple of weeks. First one I would try is Robinson back in the squad and Slipper trialled a TH. he was good for the Reds this year. Next I would have Ryan, Weeks, Owen and Longbottom in camp to see if any of them have more success at firming up the TH side. Ideally we would have worked to keep Palmer and Ma'afu onshore as I think those two could walk into the position and do a better job at scrum time.
Sage
Guest
With due respect Rob, maybe it's your point that needs some work rather than the recipients comprehension. Not clear at all.
Sage
Guest
Please clarify what you mean by that Mr Russian. What did he say that you are referring to?
Sage
Guest
Yep. The waters been frothing and boiling for a couple of weeks now. A feeding frenzy punctuated with idiocy and nastiness. It is a broad church though and many are having a jolly old time, such is life and it won't last forever.
Chivas
Guest
Bloody hell FOS's account has been hacked.
Mike
Guest
I'd prefer to see a massive 3rd division yobbo complete with beer gut and and aggressive temperament at TH at this stage - at least for one game!
Rob G.
Guest
Dan carter is the best???? All I've heard from roar is that quade cooper is the best 5/8 of all time. And welcome back the ghost that is jiggles. Your man Mckenzie has been struggling a bit since you left.
ACT
Guest
Wasn't Slipper at TH for the Reds? Sio at LH showed great form against BIL and leading into the SR finals. If the RC is over then this could be the front row worth trying with Moore (with the RWC in mind).
expathack
Guest
Heff, you have to remember that Horwill's the official captain of the Wallabies, Genia and now Mowen have been temporary solutions. Having said that, who out of that starting XV who would you suggest would be better placed to be captain? Mowen already holds a leadership position of sorts in that he runs the lineouts, and he's already demonstrated his abilities as captain at the Brumbies. Think it's a bit of a no-brainer of a decision myself.
Heff
Guest
Am I the only one who has a massive problem with the captain being dropped and a new captain who hasn't yet cemented his position in the side being elevated. Mowen may be the best captain the rugby world has ever seen for all I know but it deeply worries me a fringe player with only 6 caps (possibly not all run on - need confirmation?), takes over so easily. Surely it is still a large step up from captaining the Brumbies to captaining the National side. My primary concern would be the doubt it puts in the rest of the team.
Two Eyed Cyclop
Roar Guru
+ Etotal =x T4 where: • Etotal = total amount of energy given off, measured in Watts/square meter. • x = another ugly constant • T = temperature of the object, in degrees Kelvin (K)
hakwa
Guest
hey Wardad hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Touko
Guest
Suggestions? Do you think there's anyone else who deserves a shot? Or is it possible to convert a loosehead?