Michael Cheika has revealed the side to play Australia’s final pool stage game at the Rugby World Cup, making a whopping ten changes to the XV that defeated Uruguay 45-10 on Saturday.
Michael Hooper has been moved to the bench as the Wallabies look to ease his workload ahead of the knockout stage of the competition but, while it’s the biggest, it’s far from the only selection change.
Jack Dempsey, Nic White, Matt To’omua, Kurtley Beale and Jordan Petaia are the only players who featured in last Saturday’s win to remain in the run-on XV, with Petaia being swapped to the right wing after making his debut on the left.
To’omua has also been moved to flyhalf in a surprise move, while Bernard Foley has been left out of the 23 altogether.
The Wallabies will play Georgia on Friday night at 9:15pm (AEST) at the Shizuoka Stadium. Amazingly, it’s the first time in Test history the two nations have ever faced off.
Wallabies side to face Georgia
1. Scott Sio, 2. Tolu Latu, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Rory Arnold, 6. Jack Dempsey, 7. David Pocock (c), 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Nic White, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Samu Kerevi (vc), 13. James O’Connor, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Kurtley Beale
Reserves: 16. Jordan Uelese, 17. James Slipper, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Adam Coleman, 20. Michael Hooper, 21. Will Genia, 22. Christian Lealiifano, 23. Dane Haylett-Petty
Wigeye
Guest
What about hooper oj, and Gloria said quade coopers on his way she saw him at Brisbane airport
numpty
Roar Rookie
I think Poey has played well, but is not at his best and is not as busy as Hooper. But, that's not really relevant, the question is is he playing better than LSL and Dempsey? Against LSL definitely, purely just on defense and ruck efficiency. Dempsey is a bit more of an interesting question and one I'll be looking at in the Georgia game. If Dempsey is busy enough in rucks and defense, he gets close to the 23 for me.
numpty
Roar Rookie
This comment shows a lack of understanding. Not one comparison you make is accurate. TK uses footwork to get through traffic, Kerevi blows through it. White has a running game, Genia does not. Foley can't play flat, CLL can, Toomua is a running 10/12. Did you not see the difference in the wales game between when Foley/Genia were on and Toomua/White were on..? If they were the same players, there shouldn't of been a difference in WBs performance...
Olly
Roar Rookie
I really like LSL in the middle of a scrum. The guy has some power.
Olly
Roar Rookie
On the wing but not at 15. DHP is a 15, not a wing. Beale can have his diamond moments but has been coal for the Wallabies many times against big teams and England has had it all over Beale for some time.
Olly
Roar Rookie
That is Cheika for you. But to be honest it is a lottery with what Cheika says and the current selections.
Highlander
Guest
Shall we use tackle percentage or turnovers made as the correct measures. How about lineout taken or offensive rucks hit, maybe tackles made in front of the gainline, or metres made after contact. And maybe note he is running exactly the same lines as Hooper on attack, and against Wales you could argue even wider.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
He's been average. Take your blinkers off. "All the right decisions and zero errors"? How about taking a quick lineout on our goal line when it wasn't on against Fiji? Or kicking the ball out of the ruck against Uruguay? Just 2 off the top of my head. Both complete brain snaps.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Bodger You guys don't see the clean outs, the defense, backup and link play, breakdown work or the calm experienced head making all the right decisions with zero errors. Pocock has been one of best players on field in every RWC game so far and has only just returned from 6 months out. He'll get better with more game time and he's also a much better captain than Hooper imo. You only see the run metres, forwards swanning out in the backs, line breaks and the try scorers.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Well accept for Beale that's close to the WBs best run on team imo. It might at least be competitive against England (except for Beale) :)
Gloria
Roar Rookie
I was in the International terminal in Brisbane today and spoke to Quade Cooper checking his bags for a flight to Japan. He said he was going to meet with his new club people but rumour is that LLF has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament and QC is coming into the squad. :laughing: He also said he thinks the Wallabies can win it.
MitchO
Guest
Wow Olly. Seems a bit harsh to rule him out like that.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
The Wallabies will win by 30 unfortunately we will not see a centre pairing of JOC (12) and Kurindrani (13) ..... that I really wanted to see ..... even unseen I still think it is the best pairing we currently have. Otherwise my interest is in watching how Pocock and Dempsey go about their roles. IMO Pocock will not unseat Hooper from No 7 but Dempsey may well unseat Pocock from No 6. And I am keen to see more of Petiaia unfortunately he will more often than be outside Kerevi which means he will not get the ball.
Nnnnnnn
Roar Rookie
And they played together for Australian Schoolboys in 2007.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I like this team as a stepping stone to finalising the last few positions in his best 23. Reserve props to be finalised and unless Dempsey is an absolute standout I think Pocock will be 6 and JD on the bench. After reading Nick B's article on England's short side threat LSL seems an even bigger risk. I think it has been good to give KB two full games to run into some form so he can be effective off the bench with DHP to start at 15.
Linny
Guest
Pockock to bring nothing at 7 is my tip. He is older & slower and the game has moved on from the nominated fetcher role. Watch for the lift when Hooper gets on in the last 20-30mins.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The Selectors will finally run their best team against England (probably). This is not it (yet). After Georgia, Wallabies need 3 massive consecutive games to win the thing. There will be some selection surprises. That you can be sure of.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Scary really Doc. But to be fair, neither of the other 2 have put their hands up very high. Hopefully Toomua works out.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Ken - I'm a very EX pommie and moping is nothing compared to whinging, our favourite pastime. If we put up a show against those pommie Bstds then I will be content, if we get blown off the park then listen to the 747 engine wind up!
terrence
Roar Rookie
Kerevi was awesome in Perth..