Cheika's flyhalf bolter
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian coach Michael Cheika, like his South African counterpart Rassie Erasmus, made a few crucial selection changes.
Cheika has named Kurtley Beale at flyhalf for Saturday’s crucial Rugby Championship Test against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium – with Matt Toomua to play inside centre.
In a further change to the backs, Israel Folau returns to the side at fullback after an ankle injury ruled out him out of the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland.
Brumbies lock Rory Arnold will start in the second row for his first Test of 2018, while prop sensation Taniela Tupou has overcome a hamstring complaint to take his place on the bench.
Australia and South Africa couldn’t be split in the two encounters last year – with a 23-all draw in Perth before playing out a 27-all draw in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
It’s been a happy hunting ground for the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium recently though, with the Wallabies having won their last four games in Brisbane.
Putting in the work 💪🏼💪🏼. #AUSvRSA #GoldBlooded
Posted by Qantas Wallabies on Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Jack Maddocks.
Date: Saturday, September 8
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 20.00 (12.00 SA time; 10.00 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
#BREAKING l Your #Wallabies team to face the @Springboks this Sat Sept 8 at @suncorpstadium.
READ: https://t.co/p1iTdovQJl
TICKETS: https://t.co/lJcS2Ksx1e #TRC18 #AUSvRSA #GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/Hi36AHsCdg
ADVERTISEMENT— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) September 6, 2018