QANTAS WALLABIES TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA IN BLOEMFONTEIN

Sep 28 • General News, International, Springboks • 3173 Views • Comments Off on QANTAS WALLABIES TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA IN BLOEMFONTEIN

Qantas Wallabies team to play South Africa at Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein on Saturday 30 September, 5.00pm local time

1. Scott Sio (36 Tests)

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (75 Tests)

3. Sekope Kepu (84 Tests)

4. Izack Rodda (2 Tests)

5. Adam Coleman (15 Tests)

6. Jack Dempsey (3 Tests)

7. Michael Hooper (c) (72 Tests)

8. Sean McMahon (19 Tests)

9. Will Genia (vc) (82 Tests)

10. Bernard Foley (vc) (49 Tests)

11. Reece Hodge (17 Tests)

12. Kurtley Beale (64 Tests)

13. Tevita Kuridrani (51 Tests)

14. Marika Koroibete (1 Test)

15. Israel Folau (59 Tests)

Reserves :

16. Stephen Moore (122 Tests)

17. Tom Robertson (13 Tests)

18. Allan Alaalatoa (16 Tests)

19. Rob Simmons (75 Tests)

20. Ned Hanigan (7 Tests)

21. Lukhan Tui*

22. Nick Phipps (55 Tests)

23. Samu Kerevi (11 Tests)

24. Henry Speight (16 Tests)

*denotes uncapped

^one to be omitted

Rodda, Dempsey and Koroibete set for their first Test start in Foley’s 50th

Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made three changes to his starting fifteen ahead of Saturday night’s (Sunday morning AEST) clash with South Africa at Bloemfontein’s Toyota Stadium.

Rookie trio Izack Rodda, Jack Dempsey and Marika Koroibete are set for their first Test start as the Wallabies aim for just their second win in 54 years on South Africa’s highveld.

Vice-captain Bernard Foley will earn his 50th Test cap, four years on from his debut against Argentina in Rosario in 2013.

The flyhalf is now the fourth-highest points scorer in Wallabies history (499) after overtaking former skipper Stirling Mortlock in his 15-point outing against Argentina in Canberra a fortnight ago.

Saturday night’s clash could also mark a debut for Lukhan Tui, after the Queensland forward was named on an extended reserves bench.

Tui could become Wallaby 914, and the eleventh debutant of 2017, if the 21-year-old is selected on the finalised reserves bench by Michael Cheika and runs out in Bloemfontein.

Qantas Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika said: “Izack (Rodda) is young, he is eager and I want to give them these experiences so they can learn. I don’t think there is any risk there because he has come off the bench and played well in two big games and I can’t see why starting is any different. It’s a step along the way.”

“It’s a good opportunity for Jack (Dempsey) too and a good time now. He has had a couple of games off the bench and contributed well. It’s a good chance for him to start. It’ll be a fast track.

“Realistically, Ned (Hanigan) should never had to play seven games in a row from his debut when he wasn’t even playing Super Rugby at the start of the year. We could have given him a chance, taken him out, give him another chance and let him build. But he has done so well. It’s a different challenge for him this week.”

Australia are currently third on the Rugby Championship standings but will overtake South Africa with a win on Saturday (local time).

Sunday morning’s (AEST) clash will be screened LIVE, ad-break free during play and in HD on FOX SPORTS 501 from 12.30am AEST. Fans can also LIVE stream the match on Foxtel Now (for Foxtel subscribers).

FOX SPORTS will show every game of The Rugby Championship LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.

All Rugby Championship Test matches will be screened live and free in High Definition on TEN and WIN Network and on tenplay.com.au with the Test against South Africa on Sunday morning from 12.50am AEST in all markets.