Star fly half Quade Cooper will make his Wallabies return within the opening Rugby Championship conflict towards South Africa, whereas Brumbies flanker Tom Hooper has been given a Test debut.
Cooper, who hasn’t performed for the Wallabies since rupturing his achilles tendon in August final yr towards Argentina, will companion Nic White within the halves when Australia takes on the Springboks in Pretoria on Sunday morning (AEST).
In Eddie Jones’s return match in command of Australia after being appointed in January for a second stint, Hooper, 22, will debut, whereas the bench consists of three different potential debutants – Reds prop Zane Nonggorr, Rebels playmaker Carter Gordon and 33-year-old France-based lock Richie Arnold.
The bench additionally consists of bustling centre Samu Kerevi, who is ready for a world return after struggling a severe knee damage whereas representing Australia in rugby sevens ultimately yr’s Commonwealth Games.
Jones’s facet additionally consists of former Melbourne Storm NRL premiership-winning winger Suliasi Vunivalu.
Having fallen out of favour with earlier Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, Vunivalu will make simply his second Test look.
Another former Storm star, 2022 John Eales medallist Marika Koroibete, shall be Australia’s different winger.
Len Ikitau and skilled backline utility Reece Hodge will companion up within the centres, with Tom Wright to start out at fullback.
The Wallabies, who’re co-captained by prop James Slipper and open facet flanker Michael Hooper, are chasing their maiden win in Pretoria towards the Springboks.
“As a squad, the players have worked extremely hard since coming together as a group and we’ve prepared well this week,” coach Jones stated.
“The 23 players selected have an opportunity to be part of history with a win over South Africa in Pretoria.”
Slipper shall be joined within the front-row by Waratahs hooker David Porecki and Brumbies tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa.
Locks Nick Frost and Will Skelton will each begin a Test in South Africa for the primary time.
Wallabies: James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Michael Hooper, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Suliasi Vunivalu, Tom Wright. Bench: Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Zane Nonggorr, Richie Arnold, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Samu Kerevi, Carter Gordon.
Source: www.news.com.au
