Tom Banks will make his first run-on start for the Wallabies in the no.15 jersey in this weekend’s Rugby Championship opener after Michael Cheika confirmed his match-day 23 to play South Africa.
With wingers Jack Maddocks and Marika Koroibete flying home earlier in the week, Banks will start at fullback alongside Rebels pair Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge on the wings.
Unlike the Springboks, Cheika has named what is largely a first-choice team, albeit with one or two surprises. The most eye-raising selection looks to be Nic White, who will start at halfback in his first Test since 2015, pushing regular no.9 Will Genia to the bench.
White hasn’t played for the Wallabies since the lead-up to the last World Cup. Having missed selection for the tournament in England, he’s since played his rugby overseas, but was recently granted a release by Exeter to return to Australian rugby for a tilt at this year’s World Cup squad.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has won the race to start in the back row alongside captain Michael Hooper and promising number 8 Isi Naisarani, who will make his long-awaited Wallabies debut.
Naiasarani had an impressive Super Rugby season for the Rebels this year, and will become the 926th Wallabies player when he runs out at Ellis Park on Saturday (Sunday morning 1am AEST). Originally from Fiji, the big number 8 only became eligible to play for Australia this year, although has been touted as a potential Wallaby for some time now.
James Slipper will play his first Test in two years, named to start alongside Brumbies teammate Folau Fainga’a. Experienced Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu rounds out the front row while, as expected, Izack Rodda and Rory Arnold will fill the second row.
There’s also no surprise to see Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi named as the side’s centre pairing, the duo clearly the form Australian players in their positions during the 2019 Super Rugby season.
Kerevi wearing the no.12 jersey means Bernard Foley is the sole designated playmaker at flyhalf, although the back three of Hodge, Haylett-Petty and Banks all offer decent kicking options to alleviate the pressure from the Waratahs no.10.
Cheika has opted for a 5-3 bench featuring a young back-up front row of Jordan Uelese, Taniela Tupou and Harry Johnson-Holmes. While Uelese and Tupou have 13 Test caps between them, Johnson-Holmes is in line for a debut, having only just joined the Wallabies squad following injuries to Scott Sio and Tom Robertson.
Rob Simmons and Jack Dempsey are the remaining reserve forwards, while Genia, Matt Toomua and Kurtley Beale provide the backline cover from the bench.
In addition to Maddocks and Koroibete heading back to Australia before the Test, Rob Valetini was released to play club rugby this weekend, while Christian Lealiifano and Allan Alaalatoa joined Robertson and Sio on the injured list.
1. James Slipper (86 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (7 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (103 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (17 Tests)
5. Rory Arnold (19 Tests)
6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (11 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (91 Tests)
8. Isi Naisarani (debut)
9. Nic White (22 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (68 Tests)
11. Reece Hodge (33 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (25 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (58 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (30 Tests)
15. Tom Banks (3 Tests)
Reserves
16. Jordan Uelese (2 Tests)
17. Harry Johnson-Holmes (debut)
18. Taniela Tupou (11 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (94 Tests)
20. Jack Dempsey (10 Tests)
21. Will Genia (100 Tests)
22. Matt To’omua (42 Tests)
23. Kurtley Beale (83 Tests)
Australia’s match against the Springboks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg – a venue they haven’t won at since 1963 – will kick off at 1:05am (AEST) on Sunday morning, and you can follow all of the action and catch up on the highlights of the Rugby Championship opener right here at The Roar.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Speight of old was that winger but he has lost a few yards of pace with his injuries. He is not the speed merchant of old and most of his tries come of a Kuridrani etc making a long break and drawing and passing to take the 15 cover out of play for him. Hodge (underrated speed) and definitely Banks has the speed to do this. DHP is hard to tackle and changes the angle of attack. I personally would have picked JOC over him but see the reason for DHP and best not to leave Banks exposed with a player like Speight who still gets caught out of position. Speed out wide is going to be SA advantage but we just don't have the pace to even match them so why try and win the unwinnable. At this venue, I would be kicking high or long to Speight all day long.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I thought the concern was that he’s been playing at a lower standard and therefore his form couldn’t be judged?
Ronkedoor
Guest
This complaining has been going on for years, it doesn’t help, petition the IRB to ban the Boks for political interference from SA gov.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I totally agree.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
We should have a threatening wing. Have you seen SAs back three? Yes there will be a lot of kicking but Speight can regather and pass to a kicker if required. However, if we are finishing a backline play and do not have a single speedster against the SA back three it will be a different story. If anything a decent finisher is what we need.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
It's not the Aussie players we're worried about, it's the opposition.
Jdog
Guest
No one has mentioned that the majority of the 23 are TAHS. 7 Tahs 6 rebels 5 reds 4 brumbies So this new selection panel is picking on form or hype! Slowest wingers in rugby history! A few things; DHP is fullback or out of the 23 We havnt got a genuine winger, how speight wasnt there after the season he had in the best SR team is a joke. Good to see banks get a go, but why wasnt he given time 2 years ago. Foley sucks, but not many other options. would like to see what quade could do with those centres. I would of had quade with the KKs, banks and speight wings and hodge fullback. With quade defending at fullback and hodge up from. Super attacking backline and solid defensive, with back 3 kicking options.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
No, I really don't think it is. I think that speed for inside backs is of secondary importance. None of Larkham, Carter, Jean de Villiers or even Nonu were very quick in the last 2-3 years of their international career, and were still class. Milner-Skudder was the best wing of the last world cup, and while he was quick off the mark, didn't have a high top end speed. It was that immediate speed off the mark that allowed him to create line breaks from mid-field and then get a pass or offload away, or step, to keep the attack going. I don't think kick chasing is really actually about being super quick. It is more about where the kicker positions the kick (and the height of the kick). Obviously, it is an added bonus to be lightning like Habana though,
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
See Andrew Willett’s mask in 1996 Shute Shield Final
PeterK
Roar Guru
It is important but not sufficient, not anymore when the kick chase is so important and with up and unders. Genuine pace obviously lets wingers score more tries if given any space and the faster you are the further out you can score from. 5-10m is most important for the inside backs since they have to hit/find gaps more often, wingers genuine pace is more important as long as they are reasonably quick off the mark.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Yes Hunters, Beale running from side to side like a headless chicken. Very heroic.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Speight is really quick over 5-10m though. I think that's what is most important for wingers.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I’d back Exeter against any of the Aussie SR franchises.
Don
Roar Rookie
His whole family are quality people Riddler. Coming into his late 20s things finally fell his way when Higginbotham and a few others ahead of him I the test stakes were injured and Ben was recognised for the job he'd done as Brumbies captain. Whilst he should have been offered at lest something by RA to retain him, he also had an awarenesses that when people came back from injury he would likely slip down the pecking order. So he took advantage of the exposure and the quality play he put together that year and took a nice healthy OS gig which he wouldn't have got here.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Speight is fine at running the ball back. Sure, you can play a fullback on the wing, but if they aren't quick (like DHP isn't), then they just don't threaten as a wing should (e.g. if they get outside of you, they're like to score).
Olly
Roar Rookie
Any fullback can play wing in the modern game and the back three need to be interchangeable at test level. Speight has been good this year but you need to pick the best players for the game. The Wallabies have been pinned in their half for years thanks to the lack of kickers and ability to return kicks. Speight is not particularly good are running a kickback but more of an end of a backline winger. Also with Banks at 15 it would be a good idea to have more reliable players incase he does get caught out of position.
Chukling
Guest
I would gladly lose every game without Folau, than have his stain and wacky ways ruin my inclusive game. He has lost it and needs help. Sad really.
Chukling
Guest
Or a utility belt?
Chukling
Guest
What’s your alternative? The UFPB (“Unnecessary Flick Pass Boy”)? Genuinely interested who we have to fill the void. I would have been developing Debrazcini but he’s gone. Stuart would have been a good option. Barnes in Japan still? Clutching at straws... your right tho, I love Foley but a spark at 10 and some different play would give us an edge. Can’t we just poach some young Kiwis? Hehe
Chufortah
Guest
I think Isi will get monstered and runs too high, but wish him well. I would have had McCafferey way ahead of Isi for overall smarts. Reid-like... let’s hope he makes the RWC squad. Nic White is all box kick and pass... I hope he’s improved but why reward guys leaving Australia? I just don’t get it. The Bokkies will target Banks with the highball, and he will fail either by dropping it or being held up when he catches it. I would have Hodge/DHP there as he can kick and catch. Very happy with Slipper who is the best in Australia, and the young hookers (Latu isn’t an international and I feel the other hookers left in Australia are hard done by). I think Pocock has played his last game, and will join the Greens soon. Ok that’s all from Supercoach. Go you Wallabies!