Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has recalled Quade Cooper to the starting team for Australia for their Bledisloe Cup decider at Eden Park this Saturday.
Cheika has made six changes to the Wallabies’ team that beat the All Blacks in Sydney last weekend, with Cooper in place of Bernard Foley sure to turn more than a few heads.
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» The Roar’s Bledisloe Cup coverage
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» Past Bledisloe Cup scores
» 2016 Bledisloe Cup lineups
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Another interesting move is replacing David Pocock with the bigger Wycliff Palu at number 8.
Will Skelton gets another chance to start in the four jersey after a good performance last week off the bench, while Nic White and Matt Toomua earn starting berths due to their impressive showings against New Zealand last weekend off the bench.
Henry Speight will also start in this match, having served his suspension from earlier in the Super Rugby season.
In an interesting development, Kane Douglas has been recalled to the Wallabies 23 and will likely earn his 15th Test appearance from the bench.
Pocock and Matt Giteau, two of the Wallabies’ better performers last week, will both sit on the bench this week, having likely done enough to show Michael Cheika what they can do against the All Blacks. If he sees action, Pocock will earn his 50th Test cap.
Michael Cheika said that all the players worked hard at training and deserved their spots.
“Wycliff, Henry and Kane have all worked hard for this opportunity and have brought a lot of energy to the group this week.”
“David [Pocock] has had to overcome some hurdles with regards to injury to reach this milestone but the way in which he’s got there through perseverance and a lot of hard work and patience is a great measure of his character.
“He has been one of our best players this season, and the respect he commands from his teammates and peers is a testament to the way he approaches the game.
“He knows that he will play a pivotal part in closing the match on Saturday night, and I expect he will put in a performance that all of Australia will be proud of.”
Wallabies team for Bledisloe Cup Game 2
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore (C)
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Will Skelton
5. James Horwill
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Nic White
10. Quade Cooper
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Israel Folau
Replacements:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Greg Holmes
19. Dean Mumm
20. Kane Douglas
21. David Pocock
22. Matt Giteau
23. Kurtley Beale
What do you think Roarers? How does this team stack up against the All Blacks?
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Hahaha. No chip on shoulder here. The guy is a dead set liability for you. Hopefully that point finally got drummed into you after his 48 horror minutes against the All Black in game 2.Your world cup chances greatly diminish with him in your squad
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Like you, Mike, it has always been my long standing policy forever to assert that those who disagree with me are saying more about themselves by so doing, or something along those lines, in that "mould" - know I'm sayin' like?
Mike
Guest
Cheika always intended to do just what he said - use Foley and Cooper as his 10s. I didn't see that as changing when Cooper was left out last game, nor do I see it as having changed now. And I don't think Cheika sees the choice of 10 as of such overriding importance as many Roarers do.
Mike
Guest
AAC has been a very good 13 for Australia. The fact that some could not see that is testimony to their poor understanding of what a 13 does. This is emphasised by Kuridrani, who is very much in the AAC mold.
Laughingcruiser
Guest
Cooper's poor kicking, erratic passing and weak defence will be exploited by the All Blacks.
Zulu
Guest
Weakness in scrum equals Skelton lack of technique and laziness after third scrum and Our own little meerkat. Backs will have trouble when pigs are going backwards. Fardy will be hammered at the ruck by himself and hopefully can last till Pocock and Mumm come on. Cooper needs to have tactical patience and keep The Darkness pinned back in their corners till the time is right and everyone has to be defensively on. Simmons is required and plays a far better game than given credit for and hopefully the pigs protect White around the ruck because Sir Ritchie and his juggernaut will be on song this weekend. I thought I said that in my previous comment.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
A virtuoso performance there Zero Gain, outstanding. Dunno about the blood pressure though. ;) Incidentally, the most crucial position on the field is most often said to be the tight head. Loose head is also important - they are almost invariably intelligent and handsome too.
Zero Gain
Guest
Hey Mick, when is the last time that you got into a ring with a professional boxer? Or ran on against the All Blacks playing in the most crucial position on the field? or faced up at Eden Park to a bunch of snivelling, nasty, booing, baiting bigots? (A minority but a blight on the many fine Kiwis who will also be in attendance)
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
And you are like every Aussie supporter I run across with his head in the sand. You think Cooper is a champion and can't see his faults. He has proven time and time again he cannot cope with playing in New Zealand. Having him in your starting side this week is a positive for NZ and a negative for Australia. Why would you persist with someone who has shown he can't handle the heat in a hostile environment. Why would you not try someone else, ie Toomua.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
KiwiDave it is fashionable here to speak eloquently of Mr Cooper's maturity and mercurial skills - if one feels the need to be one of the in crowd - and to state, clearly, that anyone who demurs is a "hatist." with a "chip on their shoulder". It's very 14, schoolyard marbles cool kids, really.
marto
Guest
KiwiDave looks like Every kiwi person i`ve met..I do my best not to associate myself with them if possible,but one has to run into them eventually at RUGBY matches..It`s funny and ironic because they all look like KIiwiDave ..
marto
Guest
Yes i read it wrong..Apologies..
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Spare me! It would only be
if the Australian team were not selected on the basis of skill and ability.marto
Guest
Your best back is a Samoan ..Boy, you`ll miss him big time..haha
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I'm pleased someone else sees the self evident truth of it Red Kev.
Jimmyjam
Roar Rookie
I think high ball contestable kicking is the key here, hard chase, high pressure, ideally a dropped catch/rushed kick or win the contest. A really hard strategy to play against on a wet windy night!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Don't be such a poo poo head Bakkies! ;)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Nah, no comparison, both Carter and Foley are competent first fives.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
boonzie
Guest
Not me. We showed last week we don't even need a 10 to win ! We just need the forwards to turn up like that to ever WC game and anyone we pick at 10 will be good enough with the rest of the back line.