Qantas Wallabies team to face Fiji in Melbourne
Qantas Wallabies starting fifteen to play Fiji at AAMI Park, Melbourne, on Saturday 10 June, 3.00pm local time
1. Tom Robertson (7 Tests)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (68 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (9 Tests)
4. Sam Carter (13 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (9 Tests)
6. Ned Hanigan*
7. Michael Hooper (c) (65 Tests)
8. Scott Higginbotham (32 Tests)
9. Will Genia (75 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (42 Tests)
11. Henry Speight (11 Tests)
12. Karmichael Hunt*
13. Tevita Kuridrani (45 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (14 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (52 Tests)
Reserves to be finalised on Friday
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Two new faces for the first Test of 2017
Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named two uncapped players in his starting fifteen to face Fiji at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Ned Hanigan and Karmichael Hunt will both make their debuts on Saturday afternoon, with the bench to be named following a final training run on Friday.
Hanigan will start in the number six jersey, just over a year after making his Super Rugby debut, while Hunt will become a dual international after playing 11 Tests for Rugby League’s Kangaroos.
Michael Hooper will captain the side with Tatafu Polota-Nau set to wear the number two jersey.
It’s a return to the Test arena for Reds backrower Scott Higginbotham, who last played for the Wallabies in July 2015 against South Africa in Brisbane.
Brumbies duo Sam Carter and Allan Alaalatoa have been rewarded for their fine Super Rugby form in a new-look tight five.
Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: “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.”
“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 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 will bring this Series.
“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,” Cheika said.
All three Qantas Wallabies June Tests will kick-off at the family-friendly time of 3 pm AEST – the first time in the professional era that all June Tests have featured afternoon kick-offs.
All three matches will be screened LIVE in High Definition and ad-break free during play on FOX SPORTS 501 from 2.30pm AEST and will be available to stream via Foxtel Go (for Foxtel subscribers).
The three Tests will also be screened LIVE in High Definition on TEN and WIN Network and on tenplay.com.au from 2.30pm AEST in all markets.
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