CHEIKA NAMES THREE TEST ROOKIES TO START ENGLAND SERIES OPENER

Jun 9 • General News, International • 1201 Views • Comments Off on CHEIKA NAMES THREE TEST ROOKIES TO START ENGLAND SERIES OPENER

Qantas Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika has named three debutants in his starting side for the opening Test against England at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday (11 June, 8.05pm AEST kick off).

Brumbies lock Rory Arnold, Queensland Reds centre Samu Kerevi and Western Force utility back Dane Haylett-Petty are the new faces in the starting XV for the first of three Tests for the Cook Cup.

Standing at a mammoth 208cm tall, Brumbies giant Rory Arnold will become the tallest man ever to wear the gold jersey when he runs out for his Test debut alongside 60-Test veteran Rob Simmons in the second row.

Qantas Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika said: “This team of 2016 has a great opportunity to build on the foundations in place.

“We have a good mix of new blood and players who have been connected to the group for some time and the energy and enjoyment within the group has been excellent.

“The work ethic and application of every player in the squad shows just how much the Wallabies jersey means to each of them, and these 23 players know they represent the group when they run out on Saturday.”

Reds sensation Samu Kerevi has been handed the number 12 jersey and will team up with Brumbies powerhouse Tevita Kuridrani to form one of the most sizable centre pairings ever named for the Qantas Wallabies.

After a breakout 2016 Super Rugby campaign with the Western Force, Dane Haylett-Petty has secured a berth on the right wing, opposite the team’s newly-appointed vice-captain Rob Horne.

Cheika has named one more potential Test debutant on the bench, with Reds scrumhalf Nick Frisby to don the gold jersey for the first time in his home city, while new dad Christian Leali’ifano has been named in the match day 23 for the first time since November 2014 after joining the squad in Brisbane yesterday following the birth of his son.

Newly re-signed Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu returns from French Top 14 club Bordeaux-Begles on the reserves bench, alongside Harlequins lock and former Queensland Reds Captain James Horwill.

Stephen Moore will play his 103rd Test when he leads the Qantas Wallabies for the 12th time this Saturday, surpassing Stephen Larkham and Matt Giteau (both on 102 Test caps) to become the fourth-most capped Wallaby of all time, behind fellow Wallabies Captains George Smith (111), Nathan Sharpe (116) and George Gregan (139). Moore will be deputised by vice-captains Michael Hooper and Rob Horne for the opening clash with England.

The opening Test between the Qantas Wallabies and England will be screened LIVE in High Definition and ad-break free on FOX SPORTS 502 from 7.30pm AEST and LIVE on Ten from 7.30pm AEST for QLD, NSW and ACT viewers (on ONE in other Australian States and Territories). Fans can also LIVE stream the match on Foxtel Go (for FOX SPORTS subscribers) and for the first time on TenPlay.

Qantas Wallabies team to play England in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Saturday, June 11, 8:05pm AEST

1. Scott Sio – Brumbies (16 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) – Brumbies (102 Tests)
3. Greg Holmes – Reds (24 Tests)
4. Rory Arnold* – Brumbies
5. Rob Simmons – Reds (60 Tests)
6. Scott Fardy – Brumbies (30 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (vc) – Waratahs (51 Tests)
8. David Pocock – Brumbies (55 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps – Waratahs (39 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley – Waratahs (27 Tests)
11. Rob Horne (vc) – Waratahs (29 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi* – Reds
13. Tevita Kuridrani – Brumbies (31 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty* – Western Force
15. Israel Folau – Waratahs (38 Tests)

Replacements

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau – Waratahs (61 Tests)
17. James Slipper – Reds (74 Tests)
18. Sekope Kepu -Waratahs (63 Tests)
19. James Horwill – Harlequins (61 Tests)
20. Dean Mumm – Waratahs (44 Tests)
21. Sean McMahon -Rebels (6 Tests)
22. Nick Frisby* – Reds
23. Christian Leali’ifano – Brumbies (16 Tests)

*denotes uncapped player