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Wallabies name new halves combo for blockbuster World Cup clash against Wales

26 Sep 2019

Will Genia and Bernard Foley. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to his starting side ahead of Australia’s Pool D clash with Wales at Tokyo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Will Genia and Bernard Foley will re-unite in the halves while Dane Haylett-Petty will wear the No. 15 jersey as Kurtley Beale shifts to the bench.

Adam Ashley-Cooper replaces the suspended Reece Hodge on the right wing, in what will be the 35-year old’s 120th Test match and his 18th Rugby World Cup game.

The restoration of Genia and Foley at scrumhalf and flyhalf represents the most significant change in Cheika’s starting XV, with demoted duo Nic White and Christian Lealiifano the preferred options for the majority of the year.

The former Brumbies teammates have started alongside each other in three of Australia’s six tests this year, helping steer their nation to two wins against the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup opener and Fiji in their first World Cup clash.

Continue reading below…

By contrast, the vastly experienced Genia and Foley have played just once together in the green and gold jersey in 2019 as the Wallabies secured an unconvincing 34-15 win over Samoa in their final World Cup warm-up match.

Their selections in the Wallabies’ biggest test of the year indicates that Cheika sees their 176 collective test matches worth of experience as a key factor in delivering victory for the world’s sixth-ranked side.

Such a result would likely see them avoid facing the winners of Pool C, and with most tipping title frontrunners England to top that group, attaining victory in this fixture will be vital.

He may be one of the more controversial referees at this @rugbyworldcup, but could the stubbornness of Romain Poite to make on-field calls as he sees them save @WorldRugby from itself? #RWC2019 https://t.co/BDq5egRS8x
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 27, 2019

The match is also a milestone for centre James O’Connor, who will bring up his 50th Test cap when he runs out against Wales, almost 11 years on from making his international debut against Italy on the 2008 Spring Tour.

Australia last met Wales on the 2018 Spring Tour in Cardiff when the hosts dug deep for a gritty 9-6 win at Millennium Stadium.

The Wallabies and Wales have enjoyed some memorable battles at the Rugby World Cup, having met six times at Rugby’s showpiece (Australia W5, L1).

The Wallabies will next take on Uruguay in Oita on October 5 before shifting north again to Shizuoka for the final Pool D clash against Georgia the following weekend.

Wallabies team to play Wales at Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo on Sunday 29 September, 4.45pm (local time):

1. Scott Sio (60 Tests)

2. Tolu Latu (16 Tests)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (34 Tests)

4. Izack Rodda (22 Tests)

5. Rory Arnold (23 Tests)

6. David Pocock (79 Tests)

7. Michael Hooper (c) (96 Tests)

8. Isi Naisarani (5 Tests)

9. Will Genia (106 Tests)

10. Bernard Foley (70 Tests)

11. Marika Koroibete (25 Tests)

12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (30 Tests)

13. James O’Connor (49 Tests)

14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (119 Tests)

15. Dane Haylett-Petty (34 Tests)

Reserves

16. Jordan Uelese (5 Tests)

17. James Slipper (92 Tests)

18. Sekope Kepu (107 Tests)

19. Adam Coleman (35 Tests)

20. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (17 Tests)

21. Nic White (27 Tests)

22. Matt To’omua (48 Tests)

23. Kurtley Beale (88 Tests)

– With Rugby Australia

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 6 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 6 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 6 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 6 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍