Michael Cheika has named a strong team to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday while holding some household names back.
The Wallabies named their team in the wee hours this morning and included Brumbies winger Henry Speight (pictured below) on the left wing. Speight enjoyed stellar Super Rugby season but is, as yet, uncapped. Tevita Kuridrani, who was sent off against Ireland last November, starts at outside centre while veteran Waratahs star Adam Ashley-Cooper is named on the right wing. The lethal Israel Folau starts at fullback.
Michael Hooper captains the side once again and is named in a pack with an experienced core. He will be joined in the back row, however, by uncapped Luke Jones. Cheika said, ‘All our changes will bring a new energy into the team and I know everyone is looking forward to the opportunities our match against Ireland will bring.’
The former Leinster coach has opted to leave Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale in his reserves, although he has yet to finalise the make-up of his replacements’ bench. Former Wallabies captain James Horwill also misses out on a start, as does imposing lock Will Skelton.
Australia kicked off their tour with a lively 40-36 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham, edged out Wales 33-28 at Millennium Stadium and went down 29-26 to France last weekend. Joe Schmidt will name his Ireland team at 2pm this afternoon.
AUSTRALIA (team to face Ireland)
Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Henry Speight; Bernard Foley , Nick Phipps.
James Slipper, Saia Fainga’a, Sekope Kepu; Sam Carter, Rob Simmons; Luke Jones, Michael Hooper (capt), Ben McCalman.
Reserves: James Hanson, Tetera Faulkner, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Will Skelton, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale (three to be omitted ahead of Saturday).
