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Uncapped Hunt, Hanigan to start for Wallabies

By Dejan Kalinic
Queensland Reds’ Karmichael Hunt

Karmichael Hunt and Ned Hanigan are set to make their Australia debuts after being named to start against Fiji on Saturday.

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The uncapped duo was named in the 15 by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika for the clash in Melbourne.

Queensland Reds’ Hunt will become a dual-international, having played 11 Tests for Australia in rugby league, while Hanigan starts at number six after only making his Super Rugby debut for Waratahs a year ago.

Michael Hooper will captain the Wallabies after Stephen Moore was left out of the starting side.

“I have been very pleased with some of the individual performances this season and this has really been the basis of many of these selections,” Cheika said.

“It’s been great to see the energy that Ned and Karmichael have brought this week. We know Test footy is a different beast and I know they have what it takes to step up.

“Tatafu [Polota-Nau] has been challenging Stephen for the number two jersey for many years and his form has warranted his selection. Stephen is our captain and he’ll be up to the challenge of what both Tatafu and Tolu [Latu] will bring this series.

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“We’re growing a young leadership team within our side and Michael is a key man in this. His leadership at the Tahs has been exceptional this year and we expect the same on Saturday for a big home Test against a very strong Fiji side.”

Australia: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Tom Robertson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Allan Alaalatoa, Sam Carter, Adam Coleman, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, Scott Higginbotham.
Replacements: To be finalised.

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Mzilikazi 12 minutes ago
How England reverse-engineered unlikely attacking change

Thanks, Nick, not only for this fine article, but for all the others during 6N 2024. I really enjoyed this 2024 tournament, and felt it was one of the best for many years. That final match in Lyons was really good. England were certainly unlucky when that speculative hack by Ramos lead to a French try. It could just so easily have landed in English hand.s, and they score at the other end. I did think though that the French played some great rugby, and some of their driving play in the forwards was just fearsome. I watched Meafou with interest, and he has a good start to his career. It is interesting to compare him with Will Skelton. Lot of similarities, though so far Meafou has not shown any offloading threat. All credit to Borthwick for being prepared to change, and what great result, even if that last game was lost at the death. I feel they are a real chance to cause the AB’s problems this winter/summer. Finally a comment on Ireland. I thought their last game was their worst, and they did not look like the world’s No 2 side at all. What really worries me is that the loss to England was, in my view, down to poor decision making by the coaching group, and ofc Andy Farrell wears that. It was a big mistake to move JGP away from scrum half. Murray should have been the one to go to the wing. And the “finishers” should have been on the field earlier. And this is the second time this has happened. The RWC Qf against the AB’s, and not getting Crowley onto the field was a huge mistake. Finally, finally, watching Italy play was a joy. How wonderful that they are no longer the punchbag of the 6 N.

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