Australian coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to his starting side for the final Test of the year against England at Twickenham in the early hours of Sunday morning (AEDT).
Inexperienced but impressive young guns Lopeti Timani and Sefania Naivalu have been named among the starters in a decision that is certain to bring a smile to the faces of many a Wallabies fan.
Naivalu comes into replace Henry Speight after an impressive burst of play when he was brought on the field last week against Ireland, including scoring what was nearly a match-winning try.
Dean Mumm is the man who has made way for Timani’s return, after he was controversially named to start in preference to Timani last week.
“He’ll give us a lot of punch and strength in attack and defence,” said Cheika of Timani.
“That extra weight he’s got, his ball carrying and strong defence. It’s going to be a very physical game and he’s fresh now after a couple of weeks off and ready to go. I think we’ll need that extra grunt in there for this game.”
Speight and Mumm have both been retained on the bench.
Kane Douglas is another inclusion to the starting side, replacing Rory Arnold at No.4, while Will Genia is absent from the squad entirely, unable to secure a release from his commitments with Stade Francais.
Nick Phipps has been named to start as Genia’s replacement.
1. Scott Sio (29 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (116 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (76 Tests)
4. Kane Douglas (30 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (70 Tests)
6. David Pocock (65 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (64 Tests)
8. Lopeti Timani (5 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (51 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (41 Tests)
11. Sefanaia Naivalu (5 Tests)
12. Reece Hodge (9 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (44 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (13 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (51 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (3 Tests)
17. James Slipper (85 Tests)
18. Tom Robertson (6 Tests)
19. Dean Mumm (56 Tests)
20. Sean McMahon (14 Tests)
21. Nick Frisby (4 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (66 Tests)
23. Henry Speight (10 Tests)
double agent
Guest
Before looking at the posts I wondered how many people would not realise that Genia is unavailable. And here we go. Very first post!! Probably 50 or more to come.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Brilliant! Thank you gentlemen, you just won the Internet with that exchange. Pure comedy gold.
Chivaa
Guest
Ok. So that was all you did... sounds like you could be a doppelgänger for Ewen. Apparently that is all some people think he did too and tell those naughty boys off for being up past midnight. I think Hooper is the real culprit and Cooper is the true unsung hero.
Jokerman
Guest
Okay that makes sense. The Freudian following is probably the cause of your obsession with your Mumm :)
grapeseed
Guest
I drove her to the airport once when she was distraught. Based on this sliver of information, what deductions do your cognitive biases cause you to reach?
Chivas
Guest
I am confused, did you have relations with her too? Or did you think you weee and that is the grounds for your delusion. and isn't that an entirely different kind of delusion?
Campbell Watts
Guest
Frank would you agree that the period of time since tests began is a "certain amount of time" Thus the rankings do in fact have something to do with a certain amount of time.... Apology accepted Frank ;)
Damo
Guest
Back to a losing streak is it?
hmmm
Guest
looking forward to QCs cameo of the bench with 2min to go. cheika ...sigh
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Don't I remember Frisby playing a full game in the midweek match?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
And besides they won't kick deep to him. They'll put up contestable kicks so Folau won't have the chance to get up a head of steam.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
There's a full explanation on the worldrugby.org website in the "Rankings Explanation" page. It's not an easy read. But Kane seems to have it down.
John
Guest
He holds his position because he's the best at it, Piru. Caps lock isn't needed, he's been the best fullback in world rugby this autumn (again). Stats don't lie brother - the rest is symanics, which is your problem.
grapeseed
Guest
Great recommendation! Just went and read about 15 blog posts and they are pretty good, especially some of his older ones. Thanks SJ.
Utah
Guest
He's fullback. He should top run metres. Run metres are normally topped by the kick-returners. Says little about form.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Made my night right there, Grapeseed. BTW We Reds supporters cope with the excess number of Tahs in the Wallabies by the fact that currently the Wallabies actually win a bit more.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
I reckon Phipps is much better when he starts the game too. When he subs on he seems to try too hard and does silly things. Less so when he is the starter. Last few tests he's been passing quicker than Genia too.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Scott Adams is an interesting bloke... look him up if you haven't already.
RubberLegs
Guest
From what I saw, in the last scrum, Slipper's side of the scrum held ground AAAAlaaatoaaa's side was shunted.
mark
Guest
what an unusual selection! Why were the best players chosen to start? in 2016 there have always been passengers, but this starting team looks great. The reserves look solid too,