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?
Timbo
Roar Rookie
There's more cover at centre and 15 than it looks, TF. Nowell, can play at 13 and FB, as well as wing. Watson plays FB for his club (I think he will eventually oust Brown from FB maybe even next season). I dream of an England back 3 eventually of Watson at FB; May on one wing with five or six battling it out for the other wing spot.
Timbo
Roar Rookie
"On another note, it must be a big weekend for the English Sports fans, I see the Euro2016 soccer tournament starts this weekend. Any hopes for England there?" Yeah; probably 80% of the country will be focussed on Euro 2016. England no chance in my view. Very young, inexperienced side and their defence is very suspect - more of a sin in 'soccer' than even rugby. Probably get out of the group before departing QFs. Interesting point on Folau. I watched the match against the Chiefs and that was the best I've seen him play at '13'. I think Cheka's made the right choice keeping him at 15, though. I'm really struggling to predict how this will go. Should be a cracker, though,
Browny
Roar Rookie
In round 2 this year he played at 8 with Thomson and McMahon at 6 and 7 respectively. He plays lock to accommodate the second 7 in Reid, Fainga'a or Fainga'a over a traditional lock in Jeffries or Cummins.
ken
Guest
Wayne Barnes ...hahaha
ken
Guest
Giving Horne a VC means he cannot be dropped..
ken
Guest
indeed, .Over 60 meteres
ken
Guest
Consistently hopeless at national level champ..
ken
Guest
But Horne is the slowest winger between the ears, so that would negate his alleged speed..
Boz the Younger
Guest
I have read time and time again from the likes of Bob Dwyer that Higgers needs to get his act together at the breakdown, that game didn't ruin his chances alone, it just confirmed that he had entrenched bad habits that undermined his claim to a gold jersey. Specifically a loosie can be stationed on the wing and still contribute effectively to the breakdown as the ball comes out wide. I think that was Cheika's strategy, have a big fast loosie on hand to quickly clean out after the centres make a run. Much like he used to use Potgietter at the Tahs. The sad fact is that Higgers was ineffective at the breakdown in that match like in so many before, Bismark and Co were killing them and they got saved by Pocock. Cheika had other options to try out other than Higgers, McCalman is a very abrasive player and for all his faults at least Palu effectively cleans out. Even Mumm managed the third highest number of turnovers in the team at the WC, and I don't think he deserves to be there so I don't know why Higgers should be.
Digby
Roar Guru
Me neither mate but its still an interesting looking side regardless. Looking forward to it.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Agree, the bench looks more exciting than the run ons!
Morsie
Guest
Probably thinking pace, size, great hands, good defense, and a huge boot, not much else.
PeterK
Roar Guru
he did play 6 for the rebels. His handling has improved markedly as has his fitness. Now he is also a genuine option at the lineout. Surely a better option than Mumm. IMO also a better option on the bench than McCalman , Paul or McMahon
ken
Guest
I love your " non de plume"
Markus
Guest
"Cheika gave him a chance, and he ignored the role he was given" Do we have any evidence that Higgs was actually told by Cheika that he should be running in the tight channels? Throughout that match against South Africa I noticed quite clearly that Higgs was stationed on one wing while Fardy was stationed on the other. Given that Fardy is almost never seen in that channel for the Brumbies it was quite apparent that this was the game plan.
Markus
Guest
Can't comment on his time at Exeter, but Mumm has pulled off all of two of these trademark runs in the last 7 years, and only one for the Wallabies. Given the most recent was the Rugby Championship last year, he is not due for his next one until 2018.
Markus
Guest
Fair point. While it was some time ago now, my last memory of Timani playing at number 8 was for the Waratahs, fumbling the ball at the back of a scrum 5m out from his own line.
Ngati Tumutumu
Guest
Hi Digger Line out and creativity in the backs are the only problems I see. I am not a fan of Pocock as 8 but I guess thats just me.
ken
Guest
Higgers has had 32 caps over 8 years?? That's not enough to prove yourself, oh so a stupid kick is enough to ban him forever?? hahaha... Why is Phipps constantly selected then?....How many of those games was he a starter?? P.S We won that SA game BTW..
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah iPhone typos, do it often, and only correct if it's not clear. Can they beat the ABs, yes, will they? Maybe. This year is more about how the newbies will settle in. It's a big move by Cheika by including a few newbies, though a couple were forced, Beale would deftinitely have played so would have been interesting if he'd started Kerevi if not for that. That's the best midfield Oz have by a margin on form and experience.