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Hooper recalled as Wallabies make five changes for tour opener
By Liam Heagney
Dave Rennie has made five changes to his Australia team for Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series game versus Scotland following the September 24 Rugby Championship loss to New Zealand in Auckland. Two of the changes are in the pack, including a recall for Wallabies Test centurion Michael Hooper following his break for mental health reasons since the July series versus England.
Hooper is chosen in the Wallabies pack along with lock Nick Frost, with Pete Samu and Harry Wilson stepping out. Jed Holloway, who was at second row at Eden Park, has been shifted to blindside to accommodate the inclusion of Frost, who is starting for just the second time.
In the back, Tate McDermott has been handed his first start of 2022 in place of Jake Gordon, Tom Banks is picked at full-back and Hunter Paisami at centre instead of Marika Koroibete and Lalakai Foketi. James Slipper will captain the side.
On the bench, Queensland full-back Jock Campbell is in line to become Wallaby number 959 as the uncapped rookie has been named to provide back three cover.
Wallabies boss Rennie said: “We are rapt for Michael Hooper. He has been outstanding both on and off the field since re-entering the environment and he can’t wait to pull on the gold jersey again.
“Likewise for Tate who has been working really hard and deserves his opportunity to start, while Tom has shown resilience to come back from another serious injury to earn his spot in the team. We have had a great preparation over the past week or so and we will head to Murrayfield excited by the challenge Scotland will pose on Saturday.”
Australia (vs Scotland, Saturday)
1. James Slipper (c) (123 Tests)
2. David Porecki (7 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (60 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (5 Tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (3 Tests)
6. Jed Holloway (6 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (121 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (27 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (18 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (73 Tests)
11. Tom Wright (18 Tests)
12. Hunter Paisami (20 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (21 Tests)
14. Andrew Kellaway (18 Tests)
15. Tom Banks (20 Tests)
Replacements:
16. Folau Fainga’a (33 Tests)
17. Matt Gibbon (2 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (43 Tests)
19. Ned Hanigan (25 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (28 Tests)
21. Nic White (56 Tests)
22. Noah Lolesio (14 Tests)
23. Jock Campbell*
*denotes potential Test debut
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Latest Comments
Vaai is finally having his breakout year getting comfortable and showing great form at lock, and there are form players and experience all across the backrow, why on earth would you drop him to 6. Ridiculous
Go to commentsSo far, the All Blacks have won 8 matches out of 11 this year. That is a near 73% win rate. AB fans and, I assume, the team itself are not content with that and have everything to play for with the remaining 3 tests this year.
Their historical average is something like 77% these days and, although some years will always be better than others it is not likely to drop that dramatically to 70% any time soon. There is too much historical inertia on the stats. It is like saying Ireland’s form of the last 10 years or so is likely to reverse a historical average of 48% wins soon. It just isn’t.
Moreover, when you say they are ‘doomed’ to a 70% flatline are you not just assuming that Ireland will beat them again? How did that work out for you last time?
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