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Dave Rennie tinkers with Wallabies forward pack while Jordan Petaia set for return from injury
Coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to the Wallabies side as they look to improve on their draw in Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup showdown with the All Blacks in Auckland.
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Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and blindside flanker Ned Hanigan come into the starting side, while Queensland duo Liam Wright and Jordan Petaia are new faces on the bench for the Eden Park clash.
It will be Paenga-Amosa’s fifth test and first against New Zealand, replacing Folau Fainga’a who paid the price for the Wallabies stuttering lineout.
Hanigan will start at six, with Harry Wilson shifting to No.8 and Pete Samu axed, while Wright has taken Rob Valetini’s place on the bench.
The starting backline remains unchanged, with Tom Banks holding on to the fullback jersey ahead of veteran Dane Haylett-Petty.
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Game-breaker Petaia has overcome a hip injury but Hunter Paisami has held his starting spot in the centres.
Rennie said he expected the All Blacks to lift at Eden Park after t he opening 16-16 draw in Wellington.
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“We know that New Zealand will step it up another level this weekend, we’re excited by the challenge ahead,” Rennie said.
“We’ve had massive support from back home and as a team we definitely feel that and it’s something we’ll draw on on Sunday afternoon.”
Wallabies: Tom Banks, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Matt To’omua, Marika Koroibete, James O’Connor, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (c), Ned Hanigan, Matt Philip, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Liam Wright, Jake Gordon, Jordan Petaia, Reece Hodge.
