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The Wallabies will fight fire with fire against the powerful Italian forward pack this weekend by making skyscraping lock Rob Simmons a shock back-row starter.
Coach Ewen McKenzie has continued to select out of left field by replacing injured blindside flanker Scott Fardy (concussion) with a fit-again Simmons in Turin.
The Queensland second-rower has never started at No.6 in his professional career but McKenzie is keen to bolster Australia’s set-pieces against the confrontational Italians.
Italy’s bread and butter is their powerful scrum and by keeping bulky locks James Horwill and Sitaleki Timani in the second-row and playing the more athletic Simmons on the side, the Wallabies pack will have more size and weight.
In the only change to the starting team from the 20-13 loss to England, McKenzie has also backed Simmons athletic ability and punted on the 24-year-old to surprise with his ball-running game.
Simmons missed the Twickenham defeat with a knee injury and was expected to return in the second row, possibly at the expense of former skipper Horwill, and Ben McCalman replace Fardy.
As well as bulking up the scrum, McKenzie’s surprise move ensures Australia have four tall targets to continue their lineout success. But they will miss Fardy’s fearless ball-pilfering and cleaning-out ability at rucks.
“We’ve looked at Italy and we want to take them on at what they’re good at,” said McKenzie, who down played the importance of hands-on work at the breakdown.
“It’s a different focus. Italy are one of the most dominant tackling teams but they’re not necessarily hard over the ball.
“They will try to take us on in the set piece. You have to deal with where the ball is first, not where it might be.
“You have to have a (ruck) presence but one of the best arguments in defence is if you can cut the ball off at the source it’s the best way to defend.”
While Simmons has only played a little of No.6 off the bench in the 2011 World Cup, McKenzie said the two-metre beanpole had the right attributes for the role.
“Statistically Simmo is in our top two in terms of defence and getting around the field and he’s probably the second most athletic guy in the forward pack,” he said.
McKenzie has kept the faith with his tight-five and backline, but made three changes on the bench with back-rowers Dave Dennis and Liam Gill called up and Joe Tomane replacing Bernard Foley for more flexibility.
Powerhouse hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was considered close to returning but is now rated a definite prospect to play Ireland next week.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Nick Cummins, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Ben Mowen (capt), Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Fainga’a, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Dave Dennis, Liam Gill, Nic White, Christian Leali’ifano, Joe Tomane.
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.