AUSTRALIA HAVE MADE wholesale changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s crucial Rugby World Cup clash with England.
Coach Michael Cheika has made 14 changes to the side that thrashed Uruguay 65-3 in Pool A, reinstating the team that were too good for Fiji in their tournament opener.
Only Scott Sio has started in both of the Wallabies’ matches, and he retains his spot in the front row. Skipper Stephen Moore returns for what will be his 98th Test appearance, while vice-captains Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper are also back for the Twickenham clash.
“We’ve been working hard each day this week to improve our game before we play England on Saturday,” Cheika said.
“I believe that this selection, the same starting team that ran out v Fiji, has been really clear on where we must improve and the level we must be at to compete with England and we know that it’s going to be a very tough challenge.
“The group is really committed to making all Australians truly proud of how we represent them at this Rugby World Cup and Saturday night will be another opportunity for us to do that.”
Cheika will name his eight-man bench later today.
Australia XV
15 Israel Folau
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
13 Tevita Kuridrani
12 Matt Giteau
11 Rob Horne
10 Bernard Foley
9 Will Genia
1 Scott Sio
2 Stephen Moore
3 Sekope Kepu
4 Kane Douglas
5 Rob Simmons
6 Scott Fardy
7 Michael Hooper
8 David Pocock
That is a team that could do serious damage to an English team licking their wounds.
No Drew Mitchell. Sure ahead of Rob Horne…
I think probably. But there was a high rate of attrition with their first two games so close togetger, so it might just be a team management decision.
I’d have Phipps ahead of Genia too, but maybe that leaves the half-backs too predictable.
I fancy them to go all the way. Everything is coming together nicely for them. Could be a tough day at the office for England.
This match will be very telling anyway. If they come out and win well I’d fancy them as serious contenders. Though it will be interesting to see what (if anything) England can do.
Have a feeling the English mindset will still be on the Welsh match. All we’ve seen since the weekend is talk about what went wrong, feels like there isn’t enough focus on Wallabies match. Very hard to pick themselves up. Bit like Northampton in 2011, lost to munster with injury time drop goal, in a match they should have won, then a week later got trounced by Llanelli at home
England’s main weakness, the breakdown where they give away the vast amount of there penalties, could be destroyed. Hooper and Pollock are among best breakdown specialists in the world. It could be a long night for England.
I wouldnt write off England just yet. I know the majority here just want them to lose. England have a habit of beating the aussies when it really matters
No way Mr Murphy-Reece, we want them to do real good. They could still be contenders.
It’s just their supporters some of us want to see humbled. Nothing against Chris Robshaw, Lancaster and oul man Farrell, a league legend in his time.
I still remember the 1991 final and Tony Daly crashing over for the winning try. I used to drink at the Daly family pub near work in Concord NSW and I put 500 dollars on the tab there when I left Aus and we got through a lot of amber on the night. Tony showed up, signed autographs for the family and kept the peace on a rowdy night. All the Poms I’ve worked with in London or elsewhere never seemed to have heard of Union, so no fond memories on that side.
For what it’s worth I’m backing England to do a number on Aussies putting the pressure back on them to beat Wales
Yeah, but can they beat Uruguay in, where is at, Manchester or somewhere? Chaps tiring at this stage. Maybe time for Ruggerby to ‘come home’, like soccer in 1996.
I think England will win a close game. I think they have a stronger set piece and their pack will dominate. The backs look more balanced with Joseph back with Barritt at inside. offensively they will be more threatening with Joseph’s pace but they won’t do much running. Defensively they’ll be more secure. Farrell will play for territory and put pressure on Australia and then rely on the set piece and attack Australia at every opportunity. It’s going to be close and England are the home team with a good record and that might get them over the line.
And it’s a “must win” for England. I think they’ll be playing like demons and will win handily enough.
It really comes down to where there heads are. In a vacuum, on merit, I reckon this English team edges this Aus team 6 or 7 times out of 10. But the way they crumbled under pressure in the final ten against Wales was dreadful. They would want to be really mentally strong to come out and perform a week later.
What an as***le typo. Their*. I have shamed my family. They certainly won’t win handily enough.
Your right up you know!
Looks weak.
Weak, really? Australia look like one of the strongest sides in the tournament, and it’s tough to argue against this XV.
I am amazed at Kane Douglas return to form, mind you. He was mostly rubbish for Leinster.
Completely agree Brian. Can’t see an argument for calling them weak. On Kane Douglas, I don’t know this, but I get the impression that he was just incredibly home sick. It seemed like he didn’t try, which was frustrating to watch. But in hindsight it was probably somethibg as simple as that.
Says it all about the Leinster set up at the time doesn’t it? Douglas was one of a number of players performing way below their abilities
True , but what’s Sykes’s excuse then ?
I’m just wondering now if the ‘looks weak’ comment was sarcastic. This internet yoke isn’t actually fantastic at all at all for humour.
Fantastic starting 15. “Carn Aussie!”
Can England’s scrum give them a platform?
Great side especially with the likes of pocock and hooper, I think it’s Australia’s kicking that will stop them from going too far.
He was rubbish?