Michael Cheika has named his Australia line-up to take on New Zealand this weekend in a special Bledisloe Cup game that doubles up as the decider for this year’s watered down Rugby Championship.
Both David Pocock and Michael Hooper are included in the same back-row for the first time in their test careers, with the Brumbies man shifting to the number eight shirt. Elsewhere in the pack Scott Sio gets his first start of the tournament after impressing from the bench, and Dean Mumm and James Horwill form a new look engine room partnership.
In the backline, Matt Giteau returns to the starting line-up after missing the Argentina clash and is joined by Toulon teammate Drew Mitchell, who makes his first start since returning to the Wallaby squad.
AUSTRALIA TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (c) 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nic White, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Date: Saturday, 8 August
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 20:05 local (07:05 ART, 10:05 GMT, 12:05 SAST, 22:05 NZST)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Australia have a number of world class players in their team including Hooper and Pocock. The major issue for Australia is their scrum. Can they achieve parity against the New Zealand pack?