Wallabies make two changes for series finale
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has made two changes to his starting side ahead of the Ireland Series decider, to be played in front of a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
David Pocock shifts to Number Eight to make way for Lukhan Tui at blindside flanker while Nick Phipps will start in the number nine jersey after Will Genia suffered a fractured arm in the second Test.
Saturday night’s Test will be Tui’s first start in Wallaby gold, having appeared off the bench in his previous six Internationals.
Phipps brings plenty of Test experience and will lean on his Waratahs backline combination with Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau.
Fellow scrumhalf Joe Powell will aim to add to his three Test caps after being named on a six-two bench along with 2017 Wallabies Rookie of the Year Ned Hanigan, who makes his return from injury.
The Ireland Series is locked at one-all following Ireland’s five-point win over Australia in Melbourne last Saturday.
Australia and Ireland last faced off in Sydney back in 1994, when the Wallabies won 32-18 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
WALLABIES
15. Israel Folau, 14. Dane Haylett-Petty, 13. Samu Kerevi, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. David Pocock, 7. Michael Hooper (C), 6. Lukhan Tui, 5. Adam Coleman, 4. Izack Rodda, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1. Scott Sio.
Reserves: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Rob Simmons, 20. Ned Hanigan, 21. Pete Samu, 22. Joe Powell, 23. Reece Hodge.
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What ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
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