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Wallabies primed for backline changes - including introducing a new debutant
By AAP
The Wallabies will call on the experience of fullback Dane Haylett-Petty as they look to match the All Blacks on Saturday and level the Bledisloe Cup series.
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Haylett-Petty, who has 37 Test caps, will replace Tom Banks at ANZ Stadium after recovering from a groin strain which ruled him out of the two Tests in New Zealand.
The Melbourne Rebels captain offers a strong running game and a cool head with the All Blacks looking to pile on the pressure to secure the trans-Tasman trophy before the fourth and final Test in Brisbane next month.
Haylett-Petty is also more of a playmaker than Banks, with the Brumbies fullback a casualty of a reshuffled backline as the Wallabies look to cover the loss of Matt Toomua.
Veteran Toomua is expected to miss the entire Bledisloe Cup/Tri Nations campaign after limping off Eden Park during the Wallabies loss with a serious groin injury.
The talk about the Wallabies 'not having genuine hard men' will only fuel Dave Rennie's side, says Kiwi stars. #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCuphttps://t.co/GSCcDi6oph
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 28, 2020
His absence was keenly felt as the Australians collapsed from a 10-7 halftime deficit to lose 27-7.
Toomua was integral to the Wallabies’ 16-16 draw in the opening Test in Wellington.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will reveal his third Test line-up at 12.30pm (AEDT) with Irae Simone a possibility to start in Toomua’s No.12 jersey.
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It would be the big Brumbies centre’s Test debut.
Simone played in the NZ schoolboys rugby league team and went to school in Auckland with All Blacks centre Jack Goodhue.
Jordan Petaia is set to start at outside centre after coming off the bench in Auckland.
Among other changes, Allan Alaalatoa is tipped to switch with Taniela Tupou and start at tighthead.
– Melissa Woods
