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SWINTON, KOROIBETE RETURN FOR WALLABIES WITH TO’OMUA SET TO START IN BLEDISLOE TWO

Aug 12 • Australia, General News, International, National, Rugby Championship News, The Rugby Championship • 917 Views • Comments Off on SWINTON, KOROIBETE RETURN FOR WALLABIES WITH TO’OMUA SET TO START IN BLEDISLOE TWO

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named Lachlan Swinton and Marika Koroibete in the starting side for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland on Saturday night.

They are two of the four changes to the XV, with the experienced Matt To’omua elevated to inside centre for the must win match at Eden Park while Matt Philip starts in the second row.

The front row remains the same for the third consecutive week, James Slipper the starting loosehead prop alongside hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa with the reliable Allan Alaalatoa at tighthead prop.

Philip will partner Darcy Swain in their first Test start together in the second row, while Swinton’s inclusion has forced a reshuffle of the loose forwards that sees Rob Valetini move to no. 8. Michael Hooper will skipper the side for the 57th time at openside flanker.

The young halves pairing of Tate McDermott and Noah Lolesio get another chance to build on their combination, with Hunter Paisami moving to outside centre to partner To’omua in the midfield.

After an impressive Bledisloe Cup debut, Rebels flyer Andrew Kellaway earns his second start in Wallaby gold alongside Koroibete and fullback Tom Banks in the back three.

67-Test capped prop Scott Sio has been named in his first Wallabies side of 2021 as the finishing loosehead. Jordan Uelese is the replacement hooker with Taniela Tupou set to share the minutes with Alaalatoa at tighthead prop.

Reds duo Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Harry Wilson will cover the second and backrow.

Brumbies number nine Nic White is also set for his first appearance for the Wallabies in 2021 after recovering from a knee injury. He’s joined on the pine by club teammate Len Ikitau and the versatile Reece Hodge who rounds out the matchday 23.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said: “Eden Park is a place that most teams fear but we’re excited to get another crack after last weekend’s disappointment.”

“To beat New Zealand, you have to win the collisions and be clinical for 80 minutes and we didn’t do that.

“We’ve got a lot more in us and we’ll show that on Saturday night.”

Stan Sport will showcase Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup Test ad-free, live and on demand while it will also be simulcast on 9Gem.

Very limited tickets will be available for the Bledisloe Cup Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday 28 August and available via Ticketmaster.

Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday 14 August, 7:05pm NZST

  1. James Slipper (104 Tests)
  2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (13 Tests)
  3. Allan Alaalatoa (47 Tests)
  4. Darcy Swain (4 Tests)
  5. Matt Philip (13 Tests)
  6. Lachlan Swinton (2 Tests)
  7. Michael Hooper (c) (109 Tests)
  8. Rob Valetini (8 Tests)
  9. Tate McDermott (6 Tests)
  10. Noah Lolesio (6 Tests)
  11. Marika Koroibete (37 Tests)
  12. Matt To’omua (58 Tests)
  13. Hunter Paisami (10 Tests)
  14. Andrew Kellaway (3 Tests)
  15. Tom Banks (15 Tests)
    Replacements
  16. Jordan Uelese (14 Tests)
  17. Scott Sio (68 Tests)
  18. Taniela Tupou (29 Tests)
  19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (29 Tests)
  20. Harry Wilson (9 Tests)
  21. Nic White (37 Tests)
  22. Len Ikitau (3 Tests)
  23. Reece Hodge (47 Tests)
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