Mumm leads new-look Wallabies
Prop Scott Sio is the only starter from the 28-13 victory over Fiji in Cardiff who retains his place with Kurtley Beale at fullback and Quade Cooper at flyhalf as coach Michael Cheika looks at his options ahead of the matches against Wales and England.
Cheika said he wanted to give every player a taste of the World Cup, while looking to improve and build momentum as a group.
“We really want the entire squad to get a touch of the ball early at this Rugby World Cup and get everyone into match mode. We will need all 31 players ready for action throughout the tournament and this is the first chance to do that for many of this team.
“We’ve had a solid preparation for this match considering that we’ve had to play two games in five days and we’re very happy with where the players are at.
"It's important we continue to improve each day as a collective.”
Supporting Mumm in a new-look leadership team will be first-time vice-captain Drew Mitchell, and Ben McCalman, who will deputise for the second time in his career. McCalman previously shared the Wallabies vice-captaincy with Matt Giteau in the recent Test against the USA Eagles in Chicago.
“It’s an incredible honour to lead this group of players,” said Mumm.
“Stephen Moore, Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper have done an outstanding job as a leadership team this season and I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to what they’ve created and lead the team on Sunday.”
“This is a really important match in our campaign and four players are getting the opportunity to play in their first Rugby World Cup match, so it is a significant occasion for those players and a chance for us to build on the performance against Fiji,” he added.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Henry Speight, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Sean McMahon, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm (captain), 3 Toby Smith, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Rob Simmons, 21 Will Genia, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Tevita Kuridrani.
Date: Sunday, September 27
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Kick-off: 12.00 (11.00 GMT; 21.00 AEST; 08.00 Uruguay time)
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
