Rugby Championship: Wallabies ring the changes for Springboks Test

Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has made six changes, including a positional switch, to his run-on side for their Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Adelaide on Saturday.

Most of the changes are in the backline with Reece Hodge returning to the starting XV at full-back where he takes over from Tom Wright, who has been shifted to the right wing, while Hunter Paisami and Noah Lolesio have been named at inside centre and fly-half respectively.

Wright takes over from Jordan Petaia out wide while Paisami and Lolesio replace Lalakai Foketi and James O’Connor after Australia‘s 48-17 defeat to Argentina in their Round Two encounter in San Juan.

In the forwards, Allan Alaalatoa is back in the side after missing that clash against the Pumas due to a family bereavement and he replaces Taniela Tupou at tighthead prop while Folau Fainga’a takes over from Lachlan Lonergan at hooker.

Captain James Slipper completes the front-row and will pack down at loosehead prop while, in the second-row, Matt Philip comes in for Darcy Swain in the final alteration to the starting line-up.

“It’s great to have a number of experienced players back in the mix this weekend,” Rennie said in a statement.

“We understand that respect is earned daily and we get an opportunity to earn it against the current world champions on Saturday afternoon.”

Rennie has opted for a six/two, forwards/backs split on his replacements bench in a bid to counter South Africa‘s much vaunted ‘Bomb Squad’.

Andrew Kellaway returns via replacements bench

It’s a welcome return for outside back Andrew Kellaway, who missed the last four Tests due to a hamstring injury and he and Tate McDermott (scrum-half) will be the only backs amongst the replacements.

They are joined by Dave Porecki (hooker) and Scott Sio (loosehead), who have recovered from respective concussion and neck injuries, while Swain, Tupou, Rob Leota and Pete Samu complete the cover on the bench as lock, tighthead and back-row cover.

It will be the first time since 2004 that the Wallabies will play in Adelaide and the Rugby Championship Test is part of a double-header with the Wallaroos and Black Ferns.

“It’s really motivating to be back at home in front of our supporters, especially in Adelaide, a place we haven’t played at in 18 years,” added Rennie.

Australia: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper (c)
Replacements: 16 David Porecki, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Andrew Kellaway

Date: Saturday, August 27
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Kick-off: 15:00 local (06:30 BST, 05:30 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Tual Trainini (France)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

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