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Taniela Tupou named to return for Wallabies while new fullback backed by Rennie
Powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou has been named to return from a calf injury for the Wallabies Test against England at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
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The Wallabies will recognise NAIDOC week by wearing their First Nations jersey for the first time in 2022 in Meanjin (Brisbane) and will also sing the national anthem in Yugambeh language as they pay homage to Uncle Lloyd McDermott, the first Wallaby to identify as a First Nations man.
Tupou’s return is one of seven changes to the matchday 23 that defeated England in Perth, with Brumbies tall timber Nick Frost in line for a Test debut, named as lock cover off the pine.
Queensland star Jordan Petaia will start his first Test at fullback with Tom Wright due for his first appearance in a Wallabies jersey in 2022 on the right wing. Marika Koroibete takes his familiar position on the left edge.
Tupou is joined up front by last week’s debutant David Porecki and loosehead prop Angus Bell, who plays his 18th Test at just 21 years of age.
Matt Philip comes into the starting second row and will partner Cadeyrn Neville after Darcy Swain was suspended for two weeks following his red card in Perth last weekend.
The backrow remains unchanged, with Melbourne-born duo Rob Leota and Rob Valetini at blindside flanker and number eight respectively. Michael Hooper will captain the team at openside flanker.
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Noah Lolesio retains the number 10 jersey after a composed performance in the opening Test last weekend and will again partner Brumbies teammate Nic White in the halves.
Inside centre Samu Kerevi returns to Suncorp Stadium, having his made his Wallabies debut against England at the same venue in 2016. He will combine with hard hitting Reds centre Hunter Paisami who replaces Len Ikitau at outside centre.
The replacement front row also remains unchanged with the long-time Brumbies trio Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a and James Slipper set to make an impact from the pine.
The athletic Nick Frost is in line to become Wallaby number 953, named as a potential debutant in the number 19 jersey. Last weekend’s try-scorer Pete Samu will again cover the backrow.
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NSW number nine Jake Gordon will create impact as the finishing scrumhalf, with James O’Connor selected as the replacement playmaker. Brisbane-born Izaia Perese will play his first Test match on home soil and rounds out the matchday 23.
Saturday night’s match will be the 100th Test held in Brisbane, where a win would secure the Wallabies a piece of history as the first team to win the Ella-Mobbs Cup.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said: “It’s great to have Taniela back this week and he’s extremely excited to pull on the gold jersey in his hometown.”
“Equally Jordy is looking forward to the opportunity at fullback and of course it will be a proud night for Nick and his family for his Test debut.
“We will proudly be wearing the First Nations jersey and singing the national anthem in Yugambeh language on Saturday night as we pay our respect to Uncle Lloyd McDermott and the First Nations people of this country.”
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Wallabies team to play England at Suncorp Stadium, Meanjin:
1. Angus Bell (17 Tests)
2. David Porecki (1 Test)
3. Taniela Tupou (38 Tests)
4. Matt Philip (21 Tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (1 Test)
6. Rob Leota (7 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (119 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (19 Tests)
9. Nic White (48 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (10 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (43 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (39 Tests)
13. Hunter Paisami (15 Tests)
14. Tom Wright (10 Tests)
15. Jordan Petaia (17 Tests)
Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a (26 Tests)
17. Scott Sio (70 Tests)
18. James Slipper (115 Tests)
19. Nick Frost*
20. Pete Samu (20 Tests)
21. Jake Gordon (11 Tests)
22. James O’Connor (62 Tests)
23. Izaia Perese (2 Tests)
*denotes uncapped
-Press release/RugbyAU
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments