Izack Rodda, Jack Dempsey and Marika Koroibete will all make their run-on debuts for the Wallabies against the Springboks after Michael Cheika revealed his side to play South Africa this weekend.
However, one player who won’t be featuring in the starting line-up is Ned Hanigan, after Cheika decided to move the Waratahs back-rower to an extended bench after seven straight starts in the green and gold.
“Realistically, Ned (Hanigan) should never had to play seven games in a row from his debut when he wasn’t even playing Super Rugby at the start of the year,” Cheika said.
“We could have given him a chance, taken him out, give him another chance and let him build. But he has done so well. It’s a different challenge for him this week.”
Dempsey will come into the starting side for Hanigan, while Queensland Reds lock Izack Rodda will earn his first start for the Wallabies alongside Adam Coleman in the second row.
“Izack (Rodda) is young, he is eager and I want to give them these experiences so they can learn,” Cheika said.
“I don’t think there is any risk there because he has come off the bench and played well in two big games and I can’t see why starting is any different. It’s a step along the way.
“It’s a good opportunity for Jack (Dempsey) too and a good time now. He has had a couple of games off the bench and contributed well. It’s a good chance for him to start. It’ll be a fast track.”
In addition to the first run-on appearances for Dempsey, Rodda and Koroibete, who has come into the starting side for fellow winger Henry Speight, the Test against the Boks could see Lukhan Tui make his debut for the Wallabies.
Tui is one of nine players named on an extended bench, and the 21-year-old will be set for his first Test appearance should survive the cut and remain on the final reserves list.
The match in Bloemfontein, which is scheduled to kick off at 12:30am (AEST) on Sunday morning, will also mark vice-captain Bernard Foley’s 50th appearance for Australia.
1. Scott Sio (36 Tests)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (75 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (84 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (2 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (15 Tests)
6. Jack Dempsey (3 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (72 Tests)
8. Sean McMahon (19 Tests)
9. Will Genia (vc) (82 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (vc) (49 Tests)
11. Reece Hodge (17 Tests)
12. Kurtley Beale (64 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (51 Tests)
14. Marika Koroibete (1 Test)
15. Israel Folau (59 Tests)
Reserves
16. Stephen Moore (122 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (13 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (16 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (75 Tests)
20. Ned Hanigan (7 Tests)
21. Lukhan Tui*
22. Nick Phipps (55 Tests)
23. Samu Kerevi (11 Tests)
24. Henry Speight (16 Tests)
*denotes uncapped
^one to be omitted
Nomad
Guest
lol NZ actually has an NBN rollout happening just like Aus, except its running ahead of schedule and under budget... er so not like Aus
Drongo
Guest
Gee, that is interesting. Has the Kiwi internet crashed? Or don't you have one?
scottd
Guest
I won't dispute that Fionn and I'm sure not hyping him. I'd rather see RHP at 6 but he isn't fit so no hope of that. My point is that he might and that Cheeks could be looking at that. I sure don't know but I am hoping Cheeks has a plan and he does know.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Scott, I'm sorry, but I don't see it. What potential has he shown? I watched him quite a lot in SR this year and all he has shown is the ability to take line outs and usually makes his tackles. He looked to me like he should be a bench or fringe SR player at this point. He isn't strong through contact in attack, isn't dominant at defence and has poor technique and strength at the breakdown. I just don't get why people are prematurely hyping him.
scottd
Guest
I agree with you to a point but while I don't think Hanigan is near to being the best 6 in Australia today, with a couple of years experience and about 10-15 kg of muscle on his frame he might become the guy in 2019. I can only assume that is what Chieka is after. Having said that it might not pan out ...I guess that's why they pay Chieka the big bucks :)
Train Without A Station
Guest
Kerevi has looked like he was playing against Schoolboys in test matches already. He only started 5 Rugby Championship tests last year and ran for 100m in 2 of them and was 5th for the tournament. Meakes has good qualities. None of them are better than Kerevi when talking attack though. His kicking game is also no better. Don't doubt he'd be a better defender though.
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
mate thats most of us feel whenever you pop up,,,, glad you get it
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
deekhed
Jumbo
Guest
That's the quickest back three the abs have fielded in awhile.
cinque
Guest
A starting 15 with Rodda & Dempsey in for Simmonds and Hannigan certainly has something going for it but the cost at line-out time may decide the game, especially with TPN throwing. It's likely that the Boks will revert to a set-piece based game,- given their recent drubbing - and stick close to the sidelines. This will be a game-breaker at altitude, with clearing kicks leading to fiercely contested line-outs near the opposing 22.
Harry Jones
Expert
Rhule out; Leyds in.
Hoppers
Guest
It's possible just to lock him in so he didn't go play for Fiji... there's been a few of those this year.
Wozza
Guest
In a story involving the ABs a lot of people might care but when these posts are made in stories that have nothing to do with NZ it just reinforces the negative stereotypes AB fans receive.
Pavid Docock
Guest
I disagree that Speight is a weak defender. He is often the scapegoat as he covers for other poor defenders in the backline. Yes he is no wing/fullback hybrid - he has gone well enough under the highball for the Brumbies and Wallabies over the last few seasons in this facet though. Speight in fact plays closer in style to an extra backrower, or a ball scavenging centre.This is where he has been most effective in my opinion. And he also is one of the most committed players in Australia. Koroibete has shown some good development in the ball pilfering area, so I hope that this part of his game will be evident on the weekend and in the weeks to come. The Wallabies can sure do with players who are not afraid to get dirty at ruck time...
marto
Guest
Foley ?....and so it goes....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH !!
marto
Guest
Wallabies by 5? Nope... Boks by 10
Connor33
Guest
While Meakes is yet to play test rugby, my gut is that he will be a more complete test player. Yes, it's a prediction, but unlike Kerevi: Meakes can kick and probably has a passing game better than Equal to or better than Kerevi. But all the stt you provide all reflect individual running balance. I can't deny that. But watch what Meakes does off the ball. The lines he runs and the role he plays as a play- making centre who can also make line breaks. His games agaist the Rams recently was as if he was playing against school boys he was so good. Kerevi could become a Nonu, but he is no Jedi yet--and probably needs 2 years in England to make him a more complete player. Interestingly, Meakes has done just that.
4MoreYears
Roar Rookie
15. Beale 14. Folau 13. Hodge 12. Kerevi 11. Koroibete 10. Foley 9. Genia
Charlie Turner
Guest
Hoy, Nabuli was a Red Herring selected to confuse the s.h.i.t out of Reds supporters.
Hikel Moopa
Guest
The two best hookers in australia aren't even playing in this test.Chekko you fool.