James O’Connor will face his first real test in the number 10 shirt this weekend, as he has been named at fly-half for the second successive week following the hammering of the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Ben McCalman, who dropped out of the match last week late on Friday due to injury, returns to the starting lineup, as does regular captain James Horwill, who grabbed a brace last week coming off the bench, taking the armband from David Pocock.
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 James Horwill, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Nathan Sharpe, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Anthony Fainga’a
Curious that Squeaky Moore isn’t running on, but he, Sharpie and Samo will provide plenty of impact as replacements.
Keep an eye out for Ben Tapuai if he gets a run. A very slippery little runnner.
I noticed that…interesting to see if the Welsh front row gets the upper hand early on. Aussies usually seem to be a better scrummaging outfit with Moore at hooker…
When’s the last time Wales actually beat Australia?
2008 Autumn international – Wales won 21-18