Will Genia has come straight back into the starters for the Wallabies, as coach Michael Cheika named his team to play Scotland this weekend.
Genia was unavailable for last week’s win over Wales due to his commitments with French club Stade Francais, but has since rejoined the Wallabies in Europe.
Nick Phipps was the unfortunate player to make way for Genia’s return despite some solid form. He has been named on the bench.
“I think Phipps had two really good games, I do, but I thought (Genia) has been one of our best all season,” said Cheika.
“I just feel that this is a good game for him to play, come back in and get straight into it and then Nick will finish the game.
“I think Nick’s standard has definitely gone up from what I saw earlier in the year and now there’s a real competition going on there.”
Dean Mumm has also returned to the side after serving a one-match ban for striking Brodie Retallick in the third Bledisloe Cup Test.
However, he has only been named on the bench, unable to push out any of the starters.
In particular, Cheika praised the form of Lopeti Timani, saying the No.8’s excellent performances have made him too hard to drop.
“He’s continually making me pick him. That’s the issue – his performances have spoken for themselves,” Cheika said.
“He’s been consistent and that’s all we can ask of the guy. He’s doing lots of good tight work and also when he needs to carry he’s carrying well.
“So I’d like to let him have an opportunity to run this form out and learn how to back up and play week to week in that atmosphere.”
Tom Robertson and Will Skelton also come onto the Wallabies bench, while David Pocock will again line up at No.6.
Nick Frisby, James Slipper, Scott Fardy and Sefa Naivalu are the four players from last week’s bench who will miss out.
Wallabies team to play Scotland
1. Scott Sio (26 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (113 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (74 Tests)
4. Rory Arnold (7 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (8 Tests)
6. David Pocock (62 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (62 Tests)
8. Lopeti Timani (4 Tests)
9. Will Genia (72 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (38 Tests)
11. Henry Speight (7 Tests)
12. Reece Hodge (7 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (41 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (11 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (49 Tests)Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (1 Test)
17. Tom Robertson (4 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (6 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (67 Tests)
20. Will Skelton (16 Tests)
21. Dean Mumm (53 Tests)
22. Nick Phipps (49 Tests)
23. Quade Cooper (65 Tests)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yes, very good... and also very good to see your new status complete with photo Pete :) Hey, is that Albert in the photo or just some old banker type?
PiratesRugby
Guest
Don't forget Hooper gets picked ahead of Pocock and Foley ahead of Quade. Not just how many Tahs picked.
Crispy Duck
Roar Rookie
latest forecast 10 degrees and sunny per BBC website. I'm living in the UK and its normally pretty accurate.
Michael
Roar Rookie
Hooper is the best at getting pushed off the ball. He's a lightweight and pretty ordinary at the cleanout. Pocock is much better at 7..
RubberLegs
Guest
The Wallabies were beaten on a wet night in Newcastle by Scotland in 2012. If it's wet, Hodge better hold his nerve and put in some decent kicks to get us out of our own quarter or the Scots will grind the Wallabies into the earth.
double agent
Guest
I don't think the Wallabies will be over confident. They've had a poor season I'm sure they'll be motivated.
double agent
Guest
It is baffling.
double agent
Guest
I doubt there's a coach anywhere from U/8s to international that doesn't have their favourites.
Riddler
Guest
Doubles hilarious..
Riddler
Guest
Didnt really watch did u rubber.. He didnt play well at 15 and was only there for injury cover.. He was third string flyhalf behind freddie and t.taylor.. Halfpenny didnt play last year for toulon until the last game or two of the season. Armitage was the fullback till he got injured and then quade covered him.. Amazing how people distort reality in regard to certain players.
Boomeranga
Guest
Its also possible that, like America, a lot of US are just morons. There's another forum I read where they refer to those of us who post on the roar as mouth breathers. I haven't worked out what that means but I take it as not being a compliment.
Jack
Guest
Can't argue with that. You always get hard shouldered commitment from the brothers.
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Great point mate, totally hadn't considered the state based nepotism in the John Eales medal voting. I take your point, but if Genia is the only Wallaby playing for Paris, who's going to vote for him?
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
He actually only played 17 of the 18 tests in the voting period...
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Fair enough, i don't think they're really on the same tracks as players, they have very different assets and they seem to work very well in tandem (for the most part). I also think there's a fair bit of invalid criticism around for Hooper particularly, turnovers for instance are a key stat used against him. Correct me if i'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure Hopper topped that for the RC. Obviously Pocock was injured but it's an interesting though nonetheless. Anyway, we'll see what happens this weekend, long live the Pooper, i suppose.
Boz the Younger
Guest
It is just what Cheika has to do to keep his job, keep the NSW based power brokers happy by picking their boys. Deans even alluded to it in his book, it is a blight on the Wallabies and Australian rugby.
Dave_S
Guest
Exactly, in a 'fantasy football ' sense he's maybe the best value rugby player in the world. Can't understand those who want him dropped
John R
Roar Guru
No worries mate. Mumm is fair game otherwise! That's coming from a Tahs supporter!
PiratesRugby
Guest
Mentioning any of Hooper's shortcomings is blasphemy. Listing all of them gets you banned from GAGR...
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Pardon me, my mistake