Australian coach Michael Cheika has named his Wallabies side for the third and final Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand at Eden Park, with a major reshuffle of the backline taking place from the team which was too good for Argentina in their last outing.
Melbourne Rebels utility Reece Hodge has been shifted to his preferred inside-centre position, partnering Bernard Foley, who will line up at fly-half.
Quade Cooper, who has worn the number 10 jersey for much of the Rugby Championship, has been dropped to the bench.
Wallabies defence coach Nathan Grey had earlier sung the praises of Hodge, touting the versatile back as a possible starter at inside-centre before the team flew to New Zealand on Thursday.
“His skill set, he’s a big body, he carries the ball very well and he’s got a good passing game that he uses and he’s got good speed, so all those attributes are very positive to have in a 12,” Grey said.
“He defends there, in at 12 anyway for us, so he’s used to being in that environment.”
Taking Hodge’s place on the wing is ACT Brumbies flyer Henry Speight, who will make his first appearance for the Wallabies since Australia’s group-stage clash against Uruguay at last year’s World Cup.
NSW Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps has also been included in the run-on side following Will Genia’s return to France, while superstar flanker David Pocock will make his return from a broken hand from the bench.
Pocock’s inability to break into the starting side will see Cheika take the same back row into the Bledisloe III clash as he did for the win at Twickenham against Argentina, with Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm and Lopeti Timani all retaining their spots in the side.
That continuity has been applied to the rest of the forward pack as well, with Cheika deciding to stick with the same front and second rows that got the job done against Argentina.
Stephen Moore skippers the side from hooker, with Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu named as the props, while inexperienced pair Rory Arnold and Adam Coleman will walk out into the intimidating atmosphere at Eden Park as the starting locks.
While there have been a number of changes to the Wallabies backline, out-of-form fullback Israel Folau has not been affected, with Cheika persisting with the Waratahs star at fullback. Dane Haylett-Petty has retained his spot alongside Folau on the wing, and Samu Kerevi will once again line up at outside centre.
Rather than naming an extended bench ahead of the All Blacks clash, Cheika named just the eight reserves after he delayed the naming of the side by a day. Rob Simmons is the only lock on the bench, while Nick Frisby and Sefa Naivalu join Cooper as the backs on the pine.
Barnstorming Brumbies centre Tevita Kurindrani heads the list of omitted players, with loose forward Leroy Houston, lock Kane Douglas, versatile forward Scott Fardy and the aforementioned Genia also dropping out of the side.
The final Bledisloe Cup match will be played at Eden Park on Saturday, October 22, starting at 5:35pm (AEDT).
Wallabies side to play the All Blacks
1. Scott Sio (24 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (111 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (72 Tests)
4. Rory Arnold (5 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (6 Tests)
6. Dean Mumm (52 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (60 Tests)
8. Lopeti Timani (2 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (47 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (36 Tests)
11. Henry Speight (5 Tests)
12. Reece Hodge (5 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (7 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (9 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (47 Tests)
Reserves
16. James Hanson (11 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (3 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (4 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (65 Tests)
20. David Pocock (60 Tests)
21. Nick Frisby (2 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (63 Tests)
23. Sefa Naivalu (1 Test)
Ins: Henry Speight, Sefanaia Naivalu, Rob Simmons, David Pocock, Nick Frisby
Outs: Tevita Kuridrani, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Leroy Houston, Will Genia
Slug
Guest
How can anyone in the world think Foley is a good kicker at state school level never mind test level. Complete joke 33m straight in front
Woodsie
Guest
Good point Shane. Come to think of it that could be why Foley is on? Stronger rib cage than Quade?
RobC
Roar Guru
Well, If Phiipps has an excellent day then its all good. Who cares about the backs if the pack chosen cant compete: - LO, my biggest worry. But should work today, in theory - A big test for Timani - Lets see if the offloading and other key skills improve - Perish the thought. Are we destined to see Mumm in the WB roster til 2019? :( Looks like Check is up to some backline experiments: - Is it weird science? - Frankensteins monsters back on the field?
Lroy
Guest
Dude.. i think a lot of us have gone from ''begrudging admiration'' to just plain old ''admiration'' these days. They have been so outstandingly good for the last 13 or so years I got tired of supporting whoever it was playing against them.... gave me too many ulcers.. Now I just appreciate their brilliance and dont mind saying I cheer for them when they arent playing the Wallabies...why not, watching them is poetry in motion most of the time.. may as well enjoy it ;-)
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Agree with that but I can't see Pocock having time to adapt to the position at this stage of his career.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
I certainly hope I'm wrong, but I think that the All Blacks being as they are after that World record will put the proverbial "pedal to the metal" in this game and unfortunately the Wallabies are going to be bearing the brunt of that 'need to win' by the Kiwis. In saying that though, I feel that the Wallabies providing they keep their heads up and believe they can make a showing, ~ will have a ripper of a game and I really hope they do. It would be a brave person to say that the Wallabies will win, but this like any other game played can have odd results at times! All they need to do is play well with belief. Just about to watch the Wallaroos and the Black Ferns, go girls!!!!
Xiedazhou
Guest
I hadn't noticed actually. I don't follow the AIGs and their success or otherwise does not define me as a person. But thanks for the news, and for the off topic validation of the greatness of the AIG's, whilst the rest of us were discussing the SR scrums. And yes, thank you, I will keep dreaming.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
If you haven't noticed, NZ has the best scrum in trc. SR performanes aren't relevant. Keep dreaming tho.
Bfc
Guest
Two ball running centres...how novel! Put DHP to fullback and play Izzy on the wing...Izzy will still get to attack but won't need to kick...then the ABs can't assume the fullback will run the ball every time they kick deep....
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Couple of Kiwi Rugby Journalists in the New Zealand Herald, opine that "the Aussies' aren't scary enough to niggle the All Blacks" Ah well, ~ Can't win'm' all!
Wozza
Guest
Actually Whatl I was wrong again. In the last 19 games from the start of 2012 which I did mention was the period I was referring to in my 2nd post, the team scored 21 tries in 19 games for an avererage of 1.11 tries a game. Sorry for overstating the teams average try scoring numbers in this period.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think Cooper has been good. And even if he hasn't, he's definitely been better than Foley.
Wozza
Guest
Muz I do admit I can get overly emotional on these blogs but I'm not the one that keeps raising this issue. If Kiwis don't care, why are they constantly bringing it up and it's brought up a lot. I made my post asking this question? Whatl, you right, I was wrong. In 2012/3 up until his replacement Deans averaged 1.28 tries a game, not 1.5. Sorry about that but I don't think overstating the average tries per match is pushing my "pathetic agenda". The worst defeats: Home and away to Scotland who for a long time haven't been the team they were and against Samoa at home were the defeats I was referring to. . Australia never, except for Tonga in the 70s, lost games like this. Also, in 2008, IMPO the squad Deans had was the best Australian team since 2002, far better than 2015 or any other team since Australia last held the BC
PiratesRugby
Guest
Don't try to understand it Muz, it's a Sydney thing.
Rodney Myles
Guest
May nsw but does not play there
rebel
Guest
SSBD strikes again. Excuse me if I don't hold any weight in your opinion. Bye wall.
zubrick
Guest
yeah yeah i played my entire career at hooker...serious injury at 23 finished it the future requires no 2 to bring a lot more than moore does..end of story
Gary sweet
Guest
Couldn't get more accurate than that! So many players lucky to be pulling on that gold jersey. Just getting frustrating now!
Selector
Guest
(Pending pococks readiness) Would have been great to see Hooper given a much earned rest. Play poey at 7, timani at 8/and bring Hoops on with 30 to go.
Selector
Guest
Spot on. Cooper thrives with two running centres. Foley needs a ball playing 12 to perform. Give Hodge a fair go at his debut @12, by playing a 10 that can give him some opportunities.