Wallabies welcome 10 new faces into side for first-ever clash against Georgia
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has made 10 personnel changes to his starting 15 ahead of Friday's final Rugby World Cup Pool Stage clash with Georgia in Shizuoka.
There are five faces that remain from the 45-10 defeat of Uruguay, with Jack Dempsey, Nic White, Matt To’omua, Kurtley Beale all retained, while exciting rookie Jordan Petaia swaps to the right wing.
David Pocock will captain the new-look side in Michael Hooper’s absence as his workload is eased ahead of a probable World Cup quarter-final in Oita next weekend.
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Remarkably, it’s just the seventh time Hooper will start off the bench in what’s set to be his 99th test appearance, and only the second time he’s done so with Michael Cheika as coach.
To’omua will wear the No. 10 jersey for the first time this year, having finished last season at flyhalf for the Wallabies end-of-year clashes against Italy and England.
Friday's clash will be the first meeting in test history between Australia and Georgia, with the world's 11th-ranked side competing primarily in the Rugby Europe Championship.
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I agree with a B+ rating for the ABs this year. That is a pass mark in a transition season. A new coach, loss of senior players, injuries, some bizarre refereeing calls at times and sometimes unlucky rubs of the green all conspired to deprive this side of the perfect record. I foresee better results next year. No panic just yet.
Go to commentsThe Boks played the weakest teams in Europe!!!
And Ireland lost to the ABs at home so not so impressive
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