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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has promoted Reds lock James Horwill to the starting line-up for the end of year Test match against France in the only change to the starting team.
Horwill will start the match ahead of Sam Carter, who has been a stalwart in the starting team so far this year under both Cheika and McKenzie. It’s unclear whether Carter is on the reserves bench, with 16-23 not being named by the Wallabies yet.
Horwill has slowly been regaining the form that saw him ascend to the rank of Wallabies captain under Robbie Deans, and has been given the opportunity to start under new coach Cheika.
Sekope Kepu will play his 50th game for Australia, capping off a powerhouse season for the loosehead prop. He has been one of the most damaging ball runners for the men in gold so far in 2014.
Sean McMahon also retains his starting position at blindside flanker
The backline from the Wallabies’ victory over Wales remains intact, with no change at scrum half, as expressed by many rugby judges.
Cheika was glowing in his praise for Kepu who will knock up the half century against France.
“Sekope has been a great player for Australian Rugby over a long period of time and I speak for everyone when I congratulate him on this very special milestone,” Cheika said.
“He has proudly represented the Wallabies for seven years and the experience he now brings to this team is invaluable. He still has plenty of improvement in his game and I’m confident his best years of Rugby are ahead of him.”
Cheika said he was expecting a very different French team to the one that toured Australia earlier this year.
“The French have a completely different mindset when they are playing at home, as well as some exciting new players in their squad, and we are under no illusions as to the intensity they are going to bring to the game,” he said.
“For us, it is still early days and we are getting used to a new system in attack and defence. I was happy with the first steps we took against Wales.
“The challenge for us this week was to ensure that we raised the bar much higher in terms of our accuracy and intensity at training.
“We really want to do Australia proud against France this weekend.”
Full Wallabies team to play France
1. James Slipper
2. Saia Faingaa
3. Sekope Kepu
4. James Horwill
5. Rob Simmons
6. Sean McMahon
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Israel Folau
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.