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Hurting Wallabies make 10 changes in team for Ireland

(Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has wrung the changes ahead of their Autumn Nations Series match with Ireland following their shock loss to Italy last weekend.

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A total of 10 changes to the starting 15 have been made, with just five players retained from the boilover defeat in Florence.

Andrew Kellaway will start at fullback for the third time this season, with Florence debutant Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tom Wright making up the back three.

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James Slipper returns to the captaincy in what will be his 126th Test while ACT Brumbies duo Cadeyrn Neville and Nick Frost will reignite their second-row partnership.

Jed Holloway returns at blindside, while Michael Hooper returns in the number seven jersey, with Rob Valetini at No.8.

Hunter Paisami at inside centre with Len Ikitau outside him make up the midfield, both set for their first Tests in Ireland.

France-based Will Skelton is named on the bench, with Pete Samu set to play against Ireland for the first time since making his Wallabies debut against them in 2018, if he comes on.

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“We’re still hurting from last weekend but we have to move on and the only way to do that is a response against the Irish,” said Rennie. “They’re an excellent side. They’re very well coached and very well drilled. They’ve got a lot of experience. A lot of players who are 30 Test caps (or more) and probably played 150-plus club games.

“They’re a very good side, but that’s exciting. We get to test ourselves against the top-ranked side in the world.”

Despite the enormous challenge confronting them, Rennie refuses to believe the Wallabies are big outsiders.

“We won’t talk about being underdogs,” he said.

“There’s no doubt we’re playing the top side in the world. We’ve talked a lot about us and what we need to put on the pack to get a result and we know that’s important.

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“We let ourselves down last week, we let our country down and we’re keen for a response.”

Australia (vs Ireland, Saturday)

1. James Slipper (c) (125 Tests)
2. David Porecki (9 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (62 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (7 Tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (6 Tests)
6. Jed Holloway (8 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (123 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (29 Tests)
9. Nic White (58 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (75 Tests)
11. Tom Wright (21 Tests)
12. Hunter Paisami (23 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (24 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (1 Test)
15. Andrew Kellaway (20 Tests)

Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a (36 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (29 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (46 Tests)
19. Will Skelton (23 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (31 Tests)
21. Jake Gordon (18 Tests)
22. Noah Lolesio (16 Tests)
23. Jordan Petaia (23 Tests)

additional reporting AAP

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P
PL 2 hours ago
Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


The officiating of last feet is non existent

The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

Last feet to last feet + 1 m


When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

25 were scrum for dissent


Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


All the s.ite would disappear


The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

1 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 3 hours ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

237 Go to comments
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