Cheika solves Wallabies midfield problem?
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Michael Cheika has confirmed his matchday squad ahead of Friday’s Bledisloe Cup trial in Sydney.
The Wallabies coach will use an extended squad to fine tune their match preparations ahead of the Bledisloe opener in Sydney on August 18 at ANZ Stadium. The Wallabies trial side will take on an Australian Super Rugby Selection team featuring several former Wallabies.
Rolling substitutions will be permitted for Friday night’s trial with the broader squad to each receive substantial playing minutes.
Reece Hodge will start in the No. 13 jersey after injuries grounded Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani. Hodge has spent most of the season at flyhalf and has spent most of his time in a Wallabies shirt on the wing.
Young Queenslander Hamish Stewart will steer the ship from flyhalf while Wallabies regular No.10 Bernard Foley is unavailable with the Waratahs’ Wallabies regulars given time to recover after only finishing their Super Rugby season last weekend, with a semi-final loss in Johannesburg.
Jed Holloway and Jake Gordon have both been rewarded for their fine Super Rugby form while some members of the NSW Waratahs were not considered for selection after bowing out of the finals last weekend.
There are 13 uncapped players in the 28-man squad overall in what is a relatively strong lineup that features most of the team’s big names.
Regular Wallabies Dane Haylett-Petty and Allan Alaalatoa are both missing with injury.
Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Jack Maddocks, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Will Genia, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 David Pocock (captain), 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Adam Coleman, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Folau Faingaa, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Tetera Faulkner, 17 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Harry Hockings, 21 Lukhan Tui, 22 Liam Wright, 23 Isi Naisarani, 24 Joe Powell, 27 Jed Holloway, 28 Jordan Petaia, 29 Sefa Naivalu, 30 Jake Gordon.
Date: Friday, August 3
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Kick-off: 18.45 (08.45 GMT)
Referee: TBC
Assistant referees: TBC