The Wallabies team for the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup game of the year has been announced, with a raft of changes made once again by Dave Rennie.
Debutants Lachie Swinton and Tom Wright are two of six inclusions to the starting XV, alongside Rob Simmons, Reece Hodge, Hunter Paisami and Tom Banks.
While there is a third first-gamer on the bench in Angus Bell, who replaces Scott Sio, the real selection shock is at flyhalf, where Hodge has taken over from Noah Lolesio with James O’Connor still unfit.
Lolesio endured a tough first Test against the All Blacks in Bledisloe 3 and, rather than throw him straight back into the fray, Rennie has decided to hand Hodge just his second Wallabies start at number ten. Lolesio hasn’t been dropped from the side completely though, having been named on the bench.
Hodge’s only other starting appearance there came in 2017 against Japan, although he did take the reins of the side in the final 20 minutes on Saturday after Lolesio had left the field.
Lolesio’s fellow Game 3 debutant, Irae Simone, is out of the matchday 23, with Paisami getting a starting spot in the centres inside his Reds teammate Jordan Petaia.
Wright’s inclusion on the wing forces Filipo Daugunu to the reserves, and Dane Haylett-Petty is out of the side entirely for Banks at fullback.
Rob Simmons’ promotion from the bench comes after Lukhan Salakaia-Loto picked up an ankle injury and was unavailable for selection.
The entire group of reserves has a distinctly new look to it, and not just because Daugunu and Lolesio are there rather than in the starting side. Ned Hanigan has dropped back to the bench to make way for Swinton, and will provide both second- and back-row cover, with loose forward Liam Wright also getting a place on the pine.
Taniela Tupou and Tate McDermott are the only substitutes to keep their place, with Bell coming in for his debut and Folau Fainga’a replacing Jordan Uelese.
It wasn’t just the Wallabies changing things up for the final Bledisloe Cup match of the year. The All Blacks named for debutants for the Brisbane clash, and almost completely switched up their backline and bench.
Related
Wallabies team for Bledisloe 4
1. James Slipper
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rob Simmons
5. Matt Philip
6. Lachlan Swinton
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Harry Wilson
9. Nic White
10. Reece Hodge
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Jordan Petaia
14. Tom Wright
15. Tom Banks
Bench
16. Folau Fainga’a
17. Angus Bell
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Ned Hanigan
20. Liam Wright
21. Tate McDermott
22. Noah Lolesio
23. Filipo Daugunu
Marlin
Roar Rookie
Thanks Ace. Well spotted...oh hang on...lol
Mike
Roar Rookie
Just because Lolesio and Harrison have played well in a season or two (or half) of Super Rugby is no guarantee that they can produce the same performance at the greater intensity and pressure of test rugby. That remains to be seen. JOC and Toomua are the incumbent 10 and 12. They aren't warming the seat for anyone. Lolesio and Harrison have yet to prove that they can be seriously considered for a regular test spot, in a future season.
Mike
Roar Rookie
You play Hodge at 10 because we have already seen why the alternative doesn't work - if you put a rookie player at 10 who has never experienced the pace of test footy before, the result is that the wingers are lucky to see the ball.
Ace
Guest
Utter Nonsense.Cooper has always been a team player..
Rob9
Roar Guru
The AB forwards still managed 49 carries with 11 turnovers.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
OB, and others............Perhaps DR has this plan? In first 20 the pack go full mongrel. Hodge kicks long and the defence line holds (as we find out afterwards they've been practising that all week). Put simply they focus 100% on territory and scoreboard pressure. After 20 minutes Lolesio comes on, scoreboard hasn't blown out, he's under less pressure, and the strategy might even wrong foot the ABs and then we try and score some points!!
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, the MIB played smart footy - regardless of the result.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Funny post Tooly.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Not really, Quade, Foley and CLL were all pretty average (consistantly) on the big stage. Both Toomua and JOC are warming the seat for either a Noah or a Harrison to take us forward.
Mike
Roar Rookie
JOC is a lot more than "serviceable". But our problem is the depth behind him. We've lost too many decent 10s with test experience overseas. Toomua can hold up the same standard as JOC at 10, but looks like he will be our mainstay at WB 12 for a few years. So its behind those two where we are really missing the overseas players.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well you must have no eyes. Last test Simmons wasn't passive. Swinton has never been passive. Dumb maybe. Hodge out of position won't stop him defending well at 10.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Is the selection committee still a thing?
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Ha! Apollo Creed (Rest in Power, king :crying: ) was the instructor for sure. I wish Hodge ran more like him than ole Rock. Also shout out to awkward man hugs on the beach in short shorts
piru
Roar Rookie
I mean I know he's not been in the frame exactly, but if they're looking for an experienced 10 who can kick...
Hoy
Roar Guru
Pretty sure that is the Apollo Creed school... Apollo took Rocky to the beach.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@TWAS No I agree. If ABs chalk up +50 points it'll be due to them again winning more than 60% possession and tearing apart a slow and leaky defence with guys like the passive Simmons, Swinton in his first Test and Hodge out of position. WB bench won't help them either.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
The greatest problem, IMO is one of depth. The inexperience of debutants last week was cruelly exposed last week so while many fans are surprised at the changes Rennie has made, what would they have them do? Given the gulf between the AB’s and the Wallabies what really are the options?
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
If Hodge had a better pass on him MK would've scored at the death in that last game. It was so slow. Not looking forward to seeing him playing at 10 at all.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I am a huge Wallabies fan, but with these changes I am fearful you may need to post the score in the cricket section of The Roar....
potsie
Guest
Cooper wasn't appreciated because he was a New Zealander and a player whose playing instincts were to play for himself first and the team's game plan and his teammates second. That kind of player isn't appreciated even if they stay in NZ. But there is plenty of respect and admiration of players like Genia, Gregan, Larkham, Latham, Poidevin etc. In the case of some of them they seem more respected in NZ than they are in Australia.