Kerevi and Coleman to start against Wales
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to his starting side for their opening November tour Test against Wales in Cardiff.
Adam Coleman will start at lock after missing the third Bledisloe Cup clash because of a groin strain while Jack Dempsey and Samu Kerevi make their long-awaited return to the starting side after playing off the bench against New Zealand.
Kerevi’s start at outside centre has forced a reshuffle to the Wallabies backline with Israel Folau returning to the right wing while Sefa Naivalu has been preferred to Marika Koroibete on the left wing.
Hooker Tolu Latu will make just his second Test start on Saturday almost two years on from his first against France back in November 2016.
Veteran Tatafu Polota-Nau will serve as Latu’s deputy and is in line to make his return to the Test arena for the first time since facing Argentina on the Gold Coast while Jack Maddocks has overcome a thumb injury that’s ruled him out for almost two months.
Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt To’omua, 23 Jack Maddocks.
Date: Saturday, November 10
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.20 (17.20 GMT; 04.20 AEDT Sunday, November 11)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
