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Cheika surprises with Folau selection
By Online Editors
Israel Folau has been named to make his Wallabies return against Argentina, though he will be in unfamiliar territory.
Head coach Michael Cheika pas picked Folau on the right wing for Saturday night's Rugby Championship clash on the Gold Coast, allowing Dane Haylett-Petty to stay at fullback. Folau was a late scratch from last weekend's test against South Africa.
Folau hasn't started a test match on the wing since 2013, and has started at fullback for his last 61 Wallaby appearances. He also hasn't appeared since injuring his ankle in the Wallabies' opening Rugby Championship fixture in August.
Star flanker David Pocock - also a late scratch from last weekend's test - has also been named in the starting side.
Adam Coleman, who pulled out on match-day to be with his pregnant wife Tonia, will take a spot on the bench while Izack Rodda and Rory Arnold earn the starting nods.
There are changes in the front row once again as veteran prop Sekope Kepu rejoins the 23, replacing reserve prop Tom Robertson.
Cheika has decided against starting youngster Taniela Tupou in the front row after his dominant display off the bench against the Springboks.
WALLABIES
15. Dane Haylett-Petty, 14. Israel Folau, 13. Reece Hodge, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Kurtley Beale, 9. Will Genia, 8. David Pocock, 7. Michael Hooper (C), 6. Lukhan Tui, 5. Izack Rodda, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Scott Sio.
Reserves: 16. Folau Faingaa, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Adam Coleman, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Nick Phipps, 22. Bernard Foley, 23. Jack Maddocks.
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Latest Comments
I didn't mean to sound down on Dmac. Just looking hard at the bench sub's role of providing impact. I don't think he can do that at 15, and the bench is not really about injury cover anymore (you need to maximise it's use more than that).
He's my first choice of any New Zealander for the 10 jersey with the All Blacks.
Go to commentsAgreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
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