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Michael Cheika has selected his first Wallabies team for 2016, handing Rory Arnold, Samu Kerevi and Dane Haylett-Petty their debuts in the gold jersey.
The Brumbies lock and Force outside back join bustling Reds centre Kerevi as new faces in a line-up that otherwise strongly resembles the side that was so successful in last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Sekope Kepu, who was until recently playing his rugby in France, will miss the starting line-up for this game, with Reds stalwart Greg Holmes tasked with combatting an England scrum taking some confidence out of the Six Nations.
Arnold, who stands at 208 centimetres, is the tallest Wallaby ever selected.
The Michael Hooper-David Pocock combination has been kept, along with workhorse Scott Fardy, a back-three combination which was so successful against the English at Twickenham during their World Cup pool clash last year.
Despite playing centre for the last few games for his Super Rugby franchise, Israel Folau will return to his most-played position in the game, fullback, for national duties. This is likely to accommodate the other powerhouse centre available, Tevita Kuridrani, who along with Kerevi forms the Wallabies’ biggest centre pairing in some time.
Haylett-Petty has been one of the few stars for the Force in the past two seasons, showing great footwork, skills and plenty of speed at Super Rugby level.
Stephen Moore will skipper the side, while Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley will be tasked with pulling the strings at 9 and 10 respectively.
It looms as an intriguing contest, with the England side winning the Six Nations under new coach, Australian Eddie Jones. Already, there have been plenty of barbs thrown out by both he and Cheika in the lead-up to the game.
Wallabies team for England Test
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Greg Holmes
4. Rory Arnold*
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. David Pocock
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Rob Horne
12. Samu Kerevi*
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Dane Haylett-Petty*
15. Israel Folau
Replacements
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Sekope Kepu
19. James Horwill
20. Dean Mumm
21. Sean McMahon
22. Nick Frisby*
23. Christian Lealiifano
*On debut.
Cheika is confident this side will continue the good work of the team that won the Rugby Championship and was runner-up at the World Cup in 2015.
“This team of 2016 has a great opportunity to build on the foundations in place,” the coach said.
“We have a good mix of new blood and players who have been connected to the group for some time and the energy and enjoyment within the group has been excellent.
“The work ethic and application of every player in the squad shows just how much the Wallabies jersey means to each of them, and these 23 players know they represent the group when they run out on Saturday.”
What do you make of this team, Roarers?
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.