Cheika continues musical chairs
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has yet again made a number of changes to the team that will face England at Twickenham on Saturday.
David Pocock is back at No.8,where he is ranked just #13 according to the RugbyPass Index.
The match will be Will Genia‘s 100th Test appearance.
Genia – ranked just #13 in the world – will become the 10th Australian Test centurion, almost 10 years on from his debut against New Zealand in 2009.
The 30-year old is one of five changes to Michael Cheika’s side that defeated Italy 26-7 in Padova last weekend.
Fellow centurion Sekope Kepu returns to the starting side at tighthead prop, with Tolu Latu to start at hooker after sitting out last weekend’s clash.
Jack Maddocks will earn just his third Test start, with Dane Haylett-Petty on the right wing to allow Israel Folau to remain at fullback.
Cheika has also confirmed a six-two split on the bench with overcast conditions forecast for Saturday afternoon in London.
Australia has only won twice in their last 10 meetings against the Old Enemy – with the last Wallabies victory back in 2015 at the Rugby World Cup when England were the first hosts to be eliminated in the pool stage.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Bernard Foley, 11 Jack Maddocks, 10 Matt To’omua, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Jermaine Ainsley, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Sefa Naivalu.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 15.00 (15.00 GMT; 02.00 AEDT Sunday, November 25)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
