Eddie Jones sticks with young Wallabies team to face the All Blacks again
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has opted to stick by his young halves for the second Bledisloe Test in Dunedin, naming No 9 Tate McDermott the captain after Allan Alaalatoa went down in Melbourne with a serious leg injury.
McDermott will become the 86th Wallabies captain when he lines up alongside Carter Gordon for their second Test together in the starting side, with Nic White and Quade Cooper once again named on the bench.
After losing both Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou to injury, Melbourne-born Pone Fa’amausili has been named at tighthead prop to start alongside hooker Dave Porecki and Angus Bell, two players who impressed during their time on the field at the MCG. Reserve prop Zane Nonggorr has been named on the bench to fill the void left by Tupou.
In the second row Richie Arnold has been handed a start alongside Nick Frost, with Will Skelton moving to the bench.
The backrow has been reshuffled to accomodate the return of Fraser McReight at openside, with Tom Hooper moving to the blind and Rob Valetini retaining his place at No 8. Rob Leota is the reserve loose forward.
Former Queensland Reds centre Samu Kerevi and current Red Jordan Petaia retain their midfield combination which showed promising signs in Melbourne. The back three remains unchanged with wingers Marika Koroibete and Mark Nawaqanitawase combining with fullback Andrew Kellaway.
Head coach Eddie Jones stated that the 'regeneration' of the Wallabies started last week in Melbourne which will continue this week.
“Tate’s got all the attributes to be a great captain of his country and there’s no doubt it will be a proud moment for him and his family when he leads the team on Saturday night," Eddie Jones said.
“We started a regeneration as a team last week and now it’s about building on that with a new captain and a new era in Australian Rugby."
Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin on Saturday 5 August, 2:35pm NZST/12:35pm AEST:
1. Angus Bell (22 Tests)
2. David Porecki (13 Tests)
3. Pone Fa’amausili (4 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (11 Tests)
5. Richie Arnold (3 Tests)
6. Tom Hooper (2 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (11 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (33 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (c) (24 Tests)
10. Carter Gordon (3 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (54 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (44 Tests)
13. Jordan Petaia (26 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (5 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (22 Tests)
Finishers
16. Jordan Uelese (18 Tests)
17. James Slipper (130 Tests)
18. Zane Nonggorr (1 Test)
19. Will Skelton (27 Tests)
20. Rob Leota (15 Tests)
21. Nic White (62 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (79 Tests)
23. Izaia Perese (4 Tests)
Latest Comments
I’m hoping that the Reds can win their last 4 games with a couple of try bonus points. The pessimist in me wouldn't be surprised if the Drua and the Tahs knock the Reds over. The Reds may end up ruing the fact they were distinctly 2nd best against the Force and just so clunky against Moana Pasifica. The Brumbies should win all their remaining games with some bonus points giving them at least a top 2 finish as the leading Kiwi sides will take points off each other. How the Brumbies handle the fact that they will be expected to beat the Crusaders will fascinate me. You’d probably have to go back to 2001 for the last time the Brumbies would go into a game against the Crusaders nearly odds on to win.
Go to commentsFree to air is the key to fan expansion. I attended last weeks game at Suncorp (Reds v Blues) and the total cost is prohibitive to most people that wish to attend. Two tickets $130, parking (event day gouging) $75, road tolls $20, dinner beforehand $130, plus some petrol and a beer inside the stadium and a single game starts to cost $300-400. Who can afford that week in week out, I’d love to go more but could only afford this one game to see the Blues, I’d have loved to have seen more NZ teams here but I’d need to stop eating or sell a kidney.
Go to comments