Cooper axed from Wallaby bench
Playmaker Quade Cooper was the unlucky one to loose out when Australian coach Michael Cheika's axe came down on the bench ahead of the Test against Wales on Saturday.
Cheika reduced his extended list of replacements to the regulation eight, with Cooper's name absent from the matchday squad for the outing at the Millennium Stadium.
Cheika has opted for a six forwards and two backs split, with Rob Horne and Will Genia preferred to Cooper as utility options.
Skipper Michael Hooper said the forward-heavy bench, which includes uncapped prop Tetera Faulkner, reflected Australia's intent to overpower a tough Wales pack.
Cooper, 26, started in last weekend's 40-36 win over the Barbarians, while he was an unused substitute in last month's one-point loss to the All Blacks, denying him a first Test appearance since returning from shoulder injury.
Cooper has not played a Test since the corresponding match against Wales last November.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps; 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements – revised: 16 James Hanson, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 James Horwill, 20 Will Skelton, 21 Matt Hodgson, 22 Will Genia, 23 Rob Horne.
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT; 01.30 AEDT Sunday)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), JP Doyle (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
