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Australia and Ireland name teams for Brisbane clash

The Australia line up for the national anthem in Cardiff

Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Caleb Timu will debut for Australia against a new-look Ireland side in Saturday’s first Test.

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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has combined youth with experience for the opening match of the series, with Paenga-Amosa’s bow capping his rise from the National Rugby Championship to Super Rugby in the last 12 months.

The 22-year-old lines up at hooker, with Reds team-mate and fellow debutant Timu at number eight. Pete Samu is also primed to collect a first cap from the bench.

Captain Michael Hooper and David Pocock join Timu in the back row, where Cheika believes the new man can have a real impact.

“I think Caleb has had a great season, to be honest,” he said.

“His carrying game has been outstanding and, if you look at the way our back row is set up, the other two boys aren’t the hugest of carriers.”

Changes in the back line also see the returns of Samu Kerevi and Dane Haylett-Petty.

Ireland also have a new look, coach Joe Schmidt having recognised this tour as an opportunity for the Six Nations champions to “trial things”.

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There are six changes from the XV that wrapped up the Grand Slam against England in March, with Peter O’Mahony stepping up as captain in the absence of the injured Rory Best.

Veterans such as Rob Kearney, Keith Earls and Conor Murray remain in the back line, but Johnny Sexton drops to the bench, as Robbie Henshaw and Joey Carbery come in.

Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong are also among the replacements, with a much-changed front line including Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, John Ryan and Jordi Murphy.

Ireland are unbeaten since losing to Wales in March 2017.

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Australia team: Israel Folau, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, Kurtley Beale, Dane Haylett-Petty, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Sekope Kepu, Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Caleb Timu.

Replacements: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Reece Hodge.

Ireland team: Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Joey Carbery, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, John Ryan, James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Jordi Murphy, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Quinn Roux, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, Johnny Sexton, Jordan Larmour.

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H
Hellhound 29 minutes ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

I mean overall talent, not that they will all play 20 years. That is impossible with rugby. The younger players like Elrigh is of course not world class yet. With more experience they will become world class. They are already exceptional players. Not even Eben and the current boys was world class when they started. They were exceptional yes, but not world class. Only experience brings that.


Generational players is very few and far inbetween who is world class from the off. The younger players can only become world class with the proper training and experience isn't something that can be bought. It's something they have to earn through their careers.


As for SRP being a good competition, I disagree. It's slanted in NZ favour and always has been. It's not what it used to be. The URC is now rated as the top club competition in the world next to the top 14 outside of the CC, and I didn't make up that rankings. You feel SRP is better because of our bias towards the NH, but it simply is not.


Yes, I don't know all the young Bucs of NZ coming through, but most of those you named I've seen and they are very good players but not exceptional nor world class. Just as with SA youngsters, that is something that will come with experience and they will become world class and is definitely the future for them.


NZ and Australia don't have the player pool depth that SA have. NZ's are bigger than most, but then most of their stars came from the Island nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. If you count them, then maybe yes, they have as big a pool.


NZ will always be a top 3 team, as will SA. At least for the next 2 decades. That doesn't mean that other countries don't have some world class youngsters coming through either.


I don't claim that SA will win everything for the next 20 years. Nor that they will win the next 5 WC's. A lot depends on players, coaches, law changes and how the game keeps changing. There is too much variables. SA do have a bright future for the next 20 years , players who will hold the flag high. Same with NZ.


Nothing and no one can stop the Rivalry. I know the Irish is trying to replace the Boks with themselves as the main rivals. Everyone tunes in to watch the Boks vs AB's, all over the world. Every year. That is the most anticipated Tests by everyone every year.

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