Michael Cheika has given the clearest indication yet of who is likely to play at outside centre for the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship, naming Reece Hodge as a starter at No.13 for tomorrow night’s pre-Bledisloe Cup trial game.
The Wallabies have been hit hard by injury recently, with both Samu Kerevi (bicep) and Tevita Kuridrani (pectoral) out of Bledisloe team contention, and it seems Hodge is in with a good chance of taking the 13 jersey in their place after today’s team news, although Curtis Rona is another option at outside center.
Rona wasn’t picked in the trial side, with Cheika opting against selecting most Waratahs players following their long Super Rugby season. Back-up halfback Jake Gordon and lock Jed Holloway, both of whom have been named on the bench, are the only two Tahs players selected for the Leichhardt Oval match.
David Pocock will start at No.7 and captain the side, with Caleb Timu and Adam Korczyk filling out the back-row alongside the Brumbies flanker. Regular Wallabies Rory Arnold and Adam Coleman will be the starting locks, while Scott Sio, Folau Faingaa and Jermaine Ainsley make up the front row.
With the exception of Hodge, halfback Will Genia and winger Marika Koroibete, the starting backs are light on experience. Queensland playmaker Hamish Stewart will wear the No.10 jersey, and Billy Meakes will partner his Rebels teammate Hodge in the centres.
Jack Maddocks will start opposite Koroibete on the wing, with Brumbies fullback Tom Banks starting at the back.
Cheika has named a 13-man bench, indicating plenty of fringe players will be given a chance to stake their claim for a Bledisloe Cup spot. Those named on the pine include hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who started in the No.2 jersey for the Wallabies in the June Tests against Ireland, exciting prop Taniela Tupou and their Reds teammates Izack Rodda, Harry Hockings, Lukhan Tui, Liam Wright and Jordan Petaia.
New Melbourne signing Isi Naisarani has also been named as a reserve, although the Fijian-born forward isn’t eligible to play a Test for the Wallabies until the start of 2019. He’s one of three Rebels on the bench, Tetera Faulkner and Sefa Naivalu being the others, while the Brumbies have just the sole substitute in halfback Joe Powell.
One player not included in the side is Matt Toomua. The Leicester Tigers utility announced his comeback to Australian rugby last night, signing a two-and-a-half deal with Rugby AU and the Melbourne Rebels, but was never in contention for this trial. He is, however, available for Bledisloe Cup selection.
The Wallabies’ trial game will be played at Leichhardt Oval this Friday night at 6:45pm, with free entry for any spectators.
1. Scott Sio (Brumbies)
2. Folau Faingaa (Brumbies)
3. Jermaine Ainsley (Melbourne Rebels)
4. Adam Coleman (Melbourne Rebels)
5. Rory Arnold (Brumbies)
6. Adam Korczyk (Queensland Reds)
7. David Pocock – captain (Brumbies)
8. Caleb Timu (Queensland Reds)
9. Will Genia (Melbourne Rebels)
10. Hamish Stewart (Queensland Reds)
11. Jack Maddocks (Melbourne Rebels)
12. Billy Meakes (Melbourne Rebels)
13. Reece Hodge (Melbourne Rebels)
14. Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Rebels)
15. Tom Banks (Brumbies)
16. Tetera Faulkner (Melbourne Rebels)
17. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Queensland Reds)
18. Taniela Tupou (Queensland Reds)
19. Izack Rodda (Queensland Reds)
20. Harry Hockings (Queensland Reds)
21. Lukhan Tui (Queensland Reds)
22. Liam Wright (Queensland Reds)
23. Isi Naisarani (Melbourne Rebels)
24. Joe Powell (Brumbies)
27. Jed Holloway (NSW Waratahs)
28. Jordan Petaia (Queensland Reds)
29. Sefa Naivalu (Melbourne Rebels)
30. Jake Gordon (NSW Waratahs)
jeznez
Roar Guru
that was fatigue, altitude you know!
Kiwi in Europe
Guest
The AB's have learnt over the years that there are several issues having a utility back playing center. Mainly the defensive lines are unique, its a specialist position that takes years to learn. I do like Hodge as a center, if it is his best position and the Wallabies best option then he needs to be put there permanently. But if Chieka is going to pick Hodge to start at center in Bledisloe 1 he is opening himself up for a disaster.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Yes Tom Banks!!!@@&#€#€ Hopefully he gets a run in the proper side he is absolutely leathal!!!
StuM
Guest
Ah yes, McGaw.. What a player..
jeznez
Roar Guru
He was due back this week if the Tahs made the final, suspect he will be back. Am hoping that Korczyk is a stand in for him
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The Number 6 leader in the Clubhouse is Tui in my view. Pocock at 8 and Hooper if fit at 7. If Samu has a big Final he could make his way in to start if Hooper isn’t fit.
Bodger
Guest
Pocock is starting 7, does this mean that Hooper is unlikely to be back for Bledisloe 1?
Joseph
Guest
Latu is world class??? Not yet IMO. Too early to say that
Bodger
Guest
He's obvioulsy substituting players for the missing Waratah rather than elevating bench players; Tupou, Tui etc by the looks will be starting the first Bledisloe on the bench and this is where they are starting this game.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I reckon they will swap before the end of the RC - no inside info, just my guess based on how they are each performing
jeznez
Roar Guru
of course they could play, had they won in Jo'Burg they'd be playing on Saturday. Cheika has described his goals though and it doesn't mean getting extra footy into the blokes who have already been playing the last couple of weeks
StuM
Guest
No 13? Great. Stick Hooper in there, permanently. He'd be so great, as would Pocock at 7, flanked by Tui at 6 and Holloway at 8. Why is that no good?
Olly
Guest
The elephant in the room. Drop Foley....... We are playing a man down with him at 10. Beale is doing all the playmaking at 12 at the moment. Toomua at 10, problem solved. Or move Beale to 10 because he is first received 9 out of 10 times when we finally get our attack going.
Olly
Guest
It is going to be interesting. A very green 10 with an experienced 12 inside Hodge. I think Billy is going to have to have a big game.
olly
Guest
I think they are holding Tupou back at the moment to give him a bit more time to develop and less time for opposition to see him. By the world cup Tupou will be run on and Kepu will be on the bench.
Olly
Guest
Omg, rugby players must be the only people who travel for work!!! There must be no other sport in the world where this happens...... Rubbish. It has been a week. They can play a trial game of rugby on the weekend. Australia rugby players are lining up for the new contracts that allow them to play in Japan etc in the off season so give me a break about over worked. Professional footballers are expected to play week in and out for their paycheck.
Bob wire
Guest
I think the trial match is a good move, it should make selection a little bit easier, unless of course, MC has already made up his mind. In selecting the loosies those doing the selecting will look at the All Black loose forwards, Reid, who has come back from injury without missing a beat, Cane playing near perfect number 7 rugby, and Squire who is steadily improving and nicely filling the large boots left by Kaino. Hooper will play if fit, Pocock of course and who knows who will fill the role of the barnstorming ball carrying number 6. Whoever it is, the Wallaby back three will be up against a formidable combination, I'm looking forward to the contest.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Yep. They’ve said they’re streaming it
StuM
Guest
I thought it was because the mentally inept Fitz had a fit?
jeznez
Roar Guru
TWAS and Stewart is hardly a Foley clone either, maybe they are both meant to be simulating Toomua rather than Beale or Foley (yeah, I know it doesn't make sense)