With the Wallabies faced with a dearth of options at outside centre, Israel Folau has been named in the number 13 jersey for third and final Bledisloe Cup clash of the year.
With Reece Hodge breaking his ankle less than a week ago, ruling him out for the rest of the year, Tevita Kuridrani still unavailable through injury and Samu Kerevi desperately short of match fitness, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has had little choice but to turn to regular outside back Folau to fill the gap at 13.
Folau has started his last few Tests on the wing having previously been a constant presence at fullback, but regularly pops up in the midfield for the Wallabies and has worn the 13 jersey in the past for the Waratahs.
Taking Folau’s place out wide for Saturday evening’s clash in Yokohama is Melbourne Rebels winger Sefa Naivalu. Naivalu hasn’t played for the Wallabies since lining up against Italy in Brisbane last June.
In a blow for Australia, Adam Coleman has been ruled out of the match with groin soreness, Rob Simmons named to take his place in the run-on side alongside fellow lock Izack Rodda.
The only other change to the starting XV since the Wallabies’ 45-34 win over Argentina in Salta sees Allan Alaalatoa take the no.3 jersey in place of Taniela Tupou.
Tupou has been dropped back to a bench role alongside fellow front-rowers Tolu Latu and Sekope Kepu, the latter of whom is set to become just the ninth player – and first prop – to make 100 Test appearances for Australia.
In addition to his three front-row replacements, Cheika has included Rory Arnold, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps and Tom Banks on the bench, alongside the returning Jack Dempsey and Samu Kerevi. Kerevi hasn’t featured for the Wallabies since the June Tests, having spent four months on the sideline with a bicep injury, while Dempsey hasn’t played a Test since Bledisloe 3 last year – Australia’s last victory over New Zealand.
With nine players named on the bench, though, Cheika will need to omit one of his reserves before kick-off on Saturday.
1. Scott Sio (51 Tests)
2. Folau Faingaa (5 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (29 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (13 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (90 Tests)
6. Ned Hanigan (17 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (87 Tests)
8. David Pocock (74 Tests)
9. Will Genia (96 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (64 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (17 Tests)
12. Kurtley Beale (80 Tests)
13. Israel Folau (69 Tests)
14. Sefa Naivalu (7 Tests)
15. Dane Haylett-Petty (27 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (9 Tests)
17. Sekope Kepu (99 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (8 Tests)
19. Rory Arnold (18 Tests)
20. Jack Dempsey (6 Tests)
21. Pete Samu (7 Tests)
22. Nick Phipps (69 Tests)
23. Samu Kerevi (21 Tests)
24. Tom Banks (3 Tests)
Bledisloe 3 kicks off at 5pm (AEDT) in Yokohama, Tokyo, this Saturday.
Baz
Guest
Hoping the AB's have been well fed before the game. I think there maybe some Wallaby on the menu. It doesn't look good :(
Worlds Biggest
Roar Pro
Cheers mate, probably wouldn't make any difference anyway given Cheika's obsession with Pooper.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Indecision only confirms that the coach (and sole selector) looks and behaves like an amateur.
Akari
Roar Rookie
It might have been better to start Dempsey at 6 with Holloway on the bench.
jeznez
Roar Guru
The selections of Fainga'a, Simmons, Hanigan, Pooper, Folau at 13 and Phipps are all highly predictable but poor selections. The leapfrog by Sefa over Banks was less predictable and to be fair isn't the worst selection. The continued persistence with Koroibete despite him consistently throwing the ball away, is the shocker. I'll accept that MK's effectiveness in attack has been blunted by him defending both sides of the pitch and chasing every kick but that doesn't excuse him tossing the ball away almost every time he gets it. Why given the massive issues that Koroibete is showing would you not give a shot to Banks? Where is the accountability in performance? Paenga-Amosa and Timu can play well but then get ejected, Koroibete keeps making the same mistake and continually gets selected. (As a bonus) Let's compare Timu's last test match with Ned's performance against the Boks. Timu - 41 minutes, 3 carries for 14m and 7 tackles Hanigan - 81 minutes 4 carries for 1m and 3 tackles Which guy do you drop? Especially once you bring our premier lineout lock in Simmons into the team?
Phil
Guest
Yes,riddler,I really can't see what all the criticism of the selected team is about.As you say,it was fairly predictable except maybe for Simmons having to start in place of Coleman.Cheika even explained why he brought Simmons in over Arnold,purely for his lineout work.Someone questioned why Sefa was brought into the squad over Banks etc,but he has been in the squad,only not been selected.To me it makes sense bringing in an actual winger rather than a talented,but inexperienced,fullback and playing him on the wing.I rather see Banks as our future long term fullback.
Phil
Guest
Very good,freddie!Nice to see a bit of humour amongst all the doom and gloom.
Phil
Guest
Frank,please don't use logic when it comes to answering the Tahs/Cheika haters.Hanigan is really the only one I do question,although he is playing better than previously.Phipps also is risky but does have experience and was selected for the Wallabies long before Cheika was coach.I would prefer Gordon but,hang on,who does he play for now?
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Koroibete is not improving, because he defends across both sides of the field, so he is physically exhausted. Another reason we are suffering, because of Grey defensive patterns. Our attack is not able to shape properly, because defensively, we are all over the shop.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Without Potgeiter, there would be no cup. and with Pooper, we don't have any chance to have a hard running ball carrier like Potgeiter.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
He gets more hands-on, but less space and he struggles with less space, so I think it cancels each other out.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
What bothers me is Sava and Kori are of the same mould. So expect high bombs all night on the wings, and DHP to be exhausted from trying to cover the shortcomings of the wings.
Frank
Guest
I here it again and again, Cheika favouriting the Waratah players. Is it you don't like the Tahs or you don't like the players, or both? I get frustrated with Cheika's selections as well, including the ones you've pointed out, but it isn't limited to the Tah boys. Generally speaking, you would expect a large Waratah representation in the Wallabies; they were Aus best team this year. Do you really believe Simmons is being selected because he is a Tah? He has only played one season with them and he already has played 90 tests. Cheika had already selected him previously.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Cheers mate, and thanks to all above that responded as well. I think I had steam coming out the ears when I saw the squad announced.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Nah, Beale and Folau will look pretty with their clean jerseys and handbags swinging during the game. Crotty and SBW might be lucky enough to get a love tap on their way through the revolving door in the midfield to the black dot under the posts.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Having followed your posts for a long time mate, I bet it hurt to write that. Hope there is some intensity to paper over the cracks Jez...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Haha... Comment of the thread, next to Jez's.
Tuc Du Nard
Roar Rookie
I mean why wouldn't you experiment? It's the WBs that need to do the experimenting. Stop Pooper and put big number 8- see what happens Normal defence- see what happens. Why do we need to play almost the exact same approach? I know the ABs will be thinking that the WBs won't change. Ok Folau at 13 is just stupid, not experimental. Put someone in there from NRC! Who is actually a 13. Jordan Petaia is my man. He is going to be something special people. An X factor number 13- rare. What have we got to lose? One more loss to the ABs? So what!
Tuc Du Nard
Roar Rookie
Can't agree more with everything you say. Your Mumm over Fardy comment is so spot on. And now we have Ned as the new Mumm. Who is Ned going to send overseas? Pray not Valentini.
Kane
Roar Guru
I don't believe he is, but even if he was, that can't be the reason because the rest of that backline doesn't have a suspected weakness, they have a proven one.