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Uncapped Hunt, Hanigan to start for Wallabies
By Dejan Kalinic
Karmichael Hunt and Ned Hanigan are set to make their Australia debuts after being named to start against Fiji on Saturday.
The uncapped duo was named in the 15 by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika for the clash in Melbourne.
Queensland Reds' Hunt will become a dual-international, having played 11 Tests for Australia in rugby league, while Hanigan starts at number six after only making his Super Rugby debut for Waratahs a year ago.
Michael Hooper will captain the Wallabies after Stephen Moore was left out of the starting side.
"I have been very pleased with some of the individual performances this season and this has really been the basis of many of these selections," Cheika said.
"It's been great to see the energy that Ned and Karmichael have brought this week. We know Test footy is a different beast and I know they have what it takes to step up.
"Tatafu [Polota-Nau] has been challenging Stephen for the number two jersey for many years and his form has warranted his selection. Stephen is our captain and he'll be up to the challenge of what both Tatafu and Tolu [Latu] will bring this series.
"We're growing a young leadership team within our side and Michael is a key man in this. His leadership at the Tahs has been exceptional this year and we expect the same on Saturday for a big home Test against a very strong Fiji side."
Australia: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Tom Robertson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Allan Alaalatoa, Sam Carter, Adam Coleman, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, Scott Higginbotham.
Replacements: To be finalised.
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Latest Comments
I agree with a lot of this. Especially changing the contract side of AB rugby - even if the current structure is not the main reason Razor and others before him keep selecting players past their prime and only introducing new ones when forced to by injury. Then they act all surprised when a new player lives up to their potential and performs! Deification of good older players is a problem because, like Foster, it implies they have secret knowledge that plebs don't - despite the evidence before our eyes. Razor's first year has been a pretty big average and one hopes he gets some courage back around selection and game plan from lessons learned this year. Not hopeful though based on the selection for Italy. If they win well, (as they should) he will tout it as justification for his persistence this year but the reality is a "second" team from the squad would probably do the job.
Go to commentsIrish injury count is going up by the minute.
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