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Wallabies reshuffle ahead of second Test
By Online Editors
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to his side for the second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand.
Cheika has made wholesale changes in the front row, with props Tom Robertson and Sekope Kepu both dropping to the bench in favour of Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa respectively.
In the backs, an ankle injury to fullback Israel Folau has forced a re-shuffle, with Dane Haylett-Petty shifting to fullback and Jack Maddocks - who scored on debut last weekend - moving to the right wing.
Cheika has also given rookies Folau Faingaa and Tom Banks the chance to make their international debuts by naming the pair among the reserves.
23-year-old hooker Faingaa has experienced a whirlwind season after only making his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies this year.
Faingaa replaces Tolu Latu and will hope to improve the Wallaby lineout after an abysmal outing last weekend.
Banks was a standout for the Brumbies this season, leading the side with nine tries scored from fullback.
WALLABIES
1. Scott Sio, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Adam Coleman, 6. Lukhan Tui, 7. Michael Hooper (C), 8. David Pocock, 9. Will Genia, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. Reece Hodge, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty.
Reserves: 16. Folau Faingaa, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Sekope Kepu, 19. Rob Simmons, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Nick Phipps, 22. Matt Toomua, 23. Tom Banks.
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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