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Rennie names Wallabies side with six changes and beefed up bench
By Liam Heagney
Dave Rennie has made six changes as the Wallabies look to bounce back from their recent heavy defeat to Argentina when they host the Springboks this Saturday in round three of the Rugby Championship.
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Having started off the tournament in an encouraging fashion with a win in Mendoza despite the late withdrawal of skipper Michael Hooper, Australia were hammered 17-48 in San Juan and Rennie has picked up the pieces by making three changes to his pack and another three in the backline.
Allan Alaalatoa will start at tighthead prop for the benched Taniela Tupou after missing the defeat due to a family bereavement and he is joined in the front row by the returning Folau Fainga’a, who has overcome a concussion to take over from Lachlan Lonergan. The other tight-five alternation sees lock Matt Philip earn a call-up to partner Rory Arnold, with Darcy Swain dropping to the bench.
In the backs, Noah Lolesio is at fly-half for the axed James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami at centre for Lalakai Foketi after his recovery from a concussion, while Reece Hodge comes in at full-back with Tom Wright switching to the wing and Jordan Petaia missing out.
Meanwhile, Andrew Kellaway will make his return via the bench after overcoming a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the past four Tests. Rennie has gone with a six/two forwards/backs split to combat the Springboks’ ‘Bomb Squad’, with Kellaway and Tate McDermott the lone replacement backs.
They are joined by the returning Dave Porecki (concussion), Scott Sio (neck) and the dropped Tupou to inject energy off the bench. “It’s great to have a number of experienced players back in the mix this weekend,” said Rennie in a Wallabies statement. “We understand that respect is earned daily and we get an opportunity to earn it against the current world champions on Saturday.”
The Wallabies will play in Adelaide for the first time since 2004 as part of a doubleheader with the Wallaroos and Black Ferns. “It’s really motivating to be back at home in front of our supporters, especially in Adelaide, a place we haven’t played at in 18 years,” added Rennie.
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Wallabies (vs Springboks, Saturday)
1. James Slipper (c) (119 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (30 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (56 Tests)
4. Rory Arnold (30 Tests)
5. Matt Philip (24 Tests)
6. Jed Holloway (2 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (4 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (23 Tests)
9. Nic White (52 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (12 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (47 Tests)
12. Hunter Paisami (18 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (17 Tests)
14. Tom Wright (14 Tests)
15. Reece Hodge (57 Tests)
Replacements
16. David Porecki (3 Tests)
17. Scott Sio (71 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (42 Tests)
19. Darcy Swain (13 Tests)
20. Rob Leota (10 Tests)
21. Pete Samu (24 Tests)
22. Tate McDermott (17 Tests)
23. Andrew Kellaway (14 Tests)
