The Wallabies have named a mostly experienced line-up for the first Test against Ireland although, with two debutants named on the field and another on the bench, it could be a fresh look for the Australian national side on Saturday.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Caleb Timu will pull on the gold jumper for the first time on Saturday night, with Paenga-Amosa to line-up at hooker and Timu starting at No. 8.
Paenga-Amosa – who was toiling in the Shute Shield last year – has been rewarded for his strong season thus far with the Reds, while his teammate Timu will look to cap off a remarkable return from a serious knee injury in 2016 when he runs out alongside skipper Michael Hooper and the returning David Pocock.
It’ll be the first time Australia have had a genuine No. 8 line up in the position in some time. Timu – once a member of the Brisbane Broncos U20 squad – had previously moonlighted as an Uber driver to supplement his modest income as a fringe Queensland player.
Pete Samu, named as part of a six-two bench, is the third uncapped player named and could potentially make his debut if called on.
It’s been a whirlwind few months for Samu, with the current Crusader signing a contract for next year with the Brumbies just a day before the announcement of the Wallabies squad and sensationally being granted a release by the NZRU to play for Australia.
Tolu Latu has also been a surprise addition to the bench after his inclusion to the squad roughly 24 hours ago.
The rest of the team is relatively settled, although Wallabies fans will be nervous about Kurtley Beale and Samu Kerevi being partnered in the centres again after they were torched by the All Blacks last Bledisloe Cup.
It’ll be an interesting test for the Wallabies as they look to put a disappointing end to 2017 behind them. They’ve lost three of their past four Tests against the Irish, although they’ve won the last nine matches on Australian soil.
The Wallabies’ last home loss to Ireland was at the SCG in 1979.
1. Scott Sio
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Izack Rodda
5. Adam Coleman
6. David Pocock
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Caleb Timu
9. Will Genia
10. Bernard Foley
11. Dane Haylett-Petty
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Marika Koroibete
15. Israel Folau
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu
17. Allan Alaalatoa
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Rob Simmons
20. Lukhan Tui
21. Pete Samu
22. Nick Phipps
23. Reece Hodge
Train Without A Station
Guest
You’re referencing demographics from 100 years ago (population has grown 600% since then, a lot due to immigration) and I’m the weird one?
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Indeed jeznez
UKKiwi
Guest
I do hope Aussie wins this, I'm sick of the northern hemisphere media's constant droning about the shift in the balance of power. I haven't wanted Australia to win so much since 2003 RWC final
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Sarcasm? I hope.
Phil
Guest
Catkins,where do you get this idea that the average age for the Wallabies is getting on a bit?I haven't looked at actual ages but can only think of Kepu as an older player and you need a bit of maturity in the engine room.Genia?I guess,but still by far the best 9.Look at the Kiwis at 2015 RWC.McCaw,Carter,Nonu,Smith.These were players at the end of their careers and look at how they performed.
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, If John O;Grady was writing a sequel to "There a weird mob", you would be the main star. You are definitely weird.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So people are going to attend this because they are catholic? Right...
timber
Guest
Some interesting statistics. For the Wallabies, 59% of the squad are of Pacific Islander heritage. Australia's Pacific island population is around 1%. For the ABs, 28% of the squad are of Pacific Islander heritage. NZ's Pacific island population is around 7.5%. So in Australia, Pacific Islanders are 59 times more likely to represent their nation in rugby, compared to 3.7 times more likely in NZ, relative to their demographics. Although this doesn't take into account the popularity of rugby among Pacific Islanders relative to non-Pacific Islanders in each country, it nevertheless underlines a significant statistical difference. Given that the NZ rugby model has been highly successful, does this mean that Australian rugby has become overly obsessed with power and explosiveness (Pacific Islander qualities) over other rugby skillsets?
mtiger
Guest
well 14 of the ruck carries in the 41 phase vs France were by the back line
MitchO
Guest
Crow. Leroy Houston wasn't a complete dud but you're right in that he wasn't up to test level. If he had spent a few years in the Crusaders set up like Pete Samu I reckon he'd have become a better player than he was/is.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Tight 5 is good. Latu and reserve props good selections too. Would prefer either Hooper or Pocock but backrow not bad. I guess Pocock is just seat warming for Hanigan? Lol. Phipps on bench? Seriously? Probably the fifth best scrummie in Australian super rugby. Foley and Beale at 10 and 12 to create saloon door defence in midfield. I just reckon Hodge is better than Foley, Beale or Kerevi. Korobeiti is Australia's form winger. DHP is sound but not a winger. He should be FB. Naivalu, Maddocks, Nairavoro or Folau should be on that wing. And Simmons still gets selected for the Wallabies. Sigh. Great too see new players getting capped. I hope they go well.
Phil
Guest
Yes,Cliff,Faith sure added a lot to this discussion.Maybe should be contributing to a discussion on All Blacks v France instead.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
And with a name like "Faith" you walk down the road with your handbag and swing when the little old ladies give you a hard time. Be careful Petal!!
Catkins
Guest
just a thought but the average age of the wallabies is getting on a bit............ world cup next year........june tests, while a good marker for where a team is at, shouldn't we be looking at building towards RWC 19? Or maybe we just hope that the senior players are still fit and well in September next year and are playing better than ever.....
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think it is by far Kerevi's best position and wish he'd be allowed to just focus on it. Makes me wonder why the Reds haven't looked at Paia'aua for 13. They've tried DP at 10, 12 and 15. Why not have a look at him for 13 and similarly once they've picked a position just let him spend time in it to develop. My Wallaby midfield would be Beale and Kuridrani with Kerevi on the bench. With a back three of Hodge, Koroibete and Folau with Naiayaravoro on the bench (and if we don't want to play Taqele since he is heading offshore next year then one of the young speedsters in Maddocks or Banks). The Foley/Beale attacking axis is too strong to ignore right now, TK locks down the 13 defensive duties but there are enough strike runners around him that the attack shouldn't suffer. The bench guys can come on to change the shape of the team as needed. Kerevi can go to 12 to tighten the defence further and allow a more direct running midfield, or at 13 if we need to chase the game and lift our running threat out wide. Same reason I like Naiayaravoro or a genuine speed merchant out wide. TQ in particular adds a weapon if we are trying to chase a game.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
There is only one selector. No checks or balances or diversity of opinion.
QED
Guest
+1 could not agree more. If you are not good enough to stand and defend in your position then you should not be picked. Yes they are different 'styles' of player but when all said and done Pocock is a better 7 than Hooper. Pocock is a level headed decision maker and can lead by example and would make a better captain. Oh and can we pick wingers on the wing and stop shoe horning in players who play other positions DHP (15) and Hodger (12/13)
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, you say, ''I’ve heard that Brisbane and Sydney may be sold out and know for a fact that all tickets (unless only singles are available) other than Platinum have sold out for Melbourne.'' And so it should be, even with the inept Marketing & promotions by the crones at RA. 1/ The Irish Rugby team are are currently on an all-time high. 2/ Many, many Australians come from Irish Stock, both Catholic & Protestant. ''in 1846 the Irish-born population of Sydney, as a proportion of the total population, reached its height. In that year, 27 per cent of the inner city population was Irish-born. By 1851 this had slipped to 22 per cent; it was 20 per cent in 1861; fell to 16 per cent in 1871; and was 13 per cent in 1901. The Catholic proportion of the city, however, rose to 33 per cent in 1861 and by 1901 every third person living in the central wards of the city was Catholic. The great bulk of this Catholic population was Irish-derived. ''
QED
Guest
+1 Ash +1 RW You should play wingers on the wing Naivalu, Maddocks...... not shoe horn in DHP or Hodge.
QED
Guest
+1