Wallabies Change It Up

Photo (www.afp.com)

Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika has gone, well, he's gone nuts. 

  

Starting 

1. James Slipper

2. Stephen Moore (c)

3. Sekope Kepu 

4. Sam Carter 

5. Rory Arnold

6. Scott Fardy

7. Michael Hooper 

8. Sean McMahon 

9. Nick Phipps 

10. Bernard Foley 

11. Rob Horne

12. Samu Kerevi

13. Tevita Kuridrani 

14. Dane Haylett-Petty

15. Israel Folau

Reserves (Finalised On Friday)

1. Tatafu Polota-Nau

2. Toby Smith, Greg Holmes 

3. Dean Mumm

4. James Horwill

5. Ben McCalman

6. Liam Gill

7. Wycliff Palu

8. Nick Frisby

9. Christian Lealiifano

10. Luke Morahan.

The front row sees two changes with Moore the only one hanging on to a starting spot. Replacements sees the introduction of James Slipper and Sekope Kepu in for Scott Sio and Greg Holmes. Which hopefully props (no pun intended) the front row which suffered against a strong English pack. 

The second row has Sam Carter replacing Rob Simmons and Rory Arnold holding onto his starting spot. 

The back row has been a hot topic over the past week with David Pocock being ruled out for the rest of the series. It looks like Cheka has gone for the inform Sean McMahon to replace Pocock at 8 and Scott Fardy and Michael Hooper rounding out the forward pack.

The backs stay unchanged on the run out side. Which is good, because the center pairing of Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi is one would send shivers down the spine of most opposition teams. But England showed on Saturday, they they’re not any team, they’re one that’s willing to play the nitty-gritty and get the job done. Dane Haylett-Petty played really well on his debut with a good kicking game and some strong runs throughout the match. He’s definitely one to watch on the weekend. 

This is a good side on paper, and what we saw last weekend, the attack is solid but was blunted too often and therefore were unable to convert possession and pressure into point. Which is something that will need to improve this weekend. 

Photo (www.rugbyweek.com)

Man to Watch

Dane Haylett-Petty, as said before, will be one to watch. After getting through his first game, the nerves will have settled and he’ll be able to play a little more freely and feel a little more established.