Sio named on Wallabies bench

Prop Scott Sio is set to play his first game in almost two months after he was named on Australia’s bench for Saturday’s Test with Scotland in Sydney.

Sio is the only change to the Wallabies bench for the clash, coming into the matchday 23 in place of Toby Smith.

The 25-year-old hasn’t played since injuring his knee playing for the Brumbies in Super Rugby, but Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has put faith in the prop to make it through the back end of the game.

Cheika said on Thursday that Tom Robertson had earned a retention in the starting loosehead spot, with Sio needing to earn the position back.

The inclusion means the Wallabies will have their 2015 Rugby World Cup Final front row on the bench on Saturday, with Stephen Moore and Sekope Kepu also on the pine.

Brumbies lock Rory Arnold will back up for Sam Carter and Adam Coleman once again, while last week’s debutants Richard Hardwick and Joe Powell will have another chance to don the Wallabies jersey, earning recalls as well.

Quade Cooper and Reece Hodge round out the reserves.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Reece Hodge

Date: Saturday, June 17
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 15:00 local (05:00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)