Wallabies head coach Micahel Cheika has made four changes to his side as they prepare to take on reigning Six Nations Grand Slam champions Wales in round two of the Rugby World Cup in Japan on Sunday.
Having watched his side overcome the Flying Fijians 39-21 last weekend, Cheika has decided to shuffle his backs with Will Genia, Bernard Foley, Dane Haylett-Petty and Adam Ashley-Cooper come into the side.
Genia and Foley will take the half-back positions from Nic White and Christian Lealiifano respectively, despite the latter pair having played more games for the Aussies together this year.
However, Cheika will be fully aware that every point will count this weekend against a tough Welsh side and with his team missing a number of kicks last weekend he is more than likely playing safe with the reliable boot of Foley.
Beale moves to the bench in place of Haylett-Petty, while Ashley-Cooper takes a spot on the wing following Reece Hodges three week ban for a high tackle against Fiji. This will be the 35-year-olds 120th cap for the Wallabies and his 18th in a World Cup.
Elsewhere, it’s as you were against Fiji with Scott Sio, Tolu Latu and Allan Alaalatoa in the front-row, with Izack Rodda and Rory Arnold behind them in the engine-room.
While David Pocock and captain Michael Hooper occupy the flanker positions with Isi Naisarani slotting in at No 8.
As mentioned it’s Genia and Foley at scrum-half and fly-half respectively, with Samu Kerevi at 12 and James O’Connor at 13 as he prepares for his 50th international cap.
The electric Marika Koroibete is on the left-wing, with Ashley-Cooper on the right and Haylett-Petty completes the starting line-up from full-back.
Cheika will have plenty of resources to call upon on the bench if required with the likes of Sekope Kepu, Adam Coleman, Nic White and Kurtley Beale among the subs.
The Wallabies know that a win here would give them the best chance possible of finishing top of Pool D with clashes against Uruguay and Georgia to come, but they will need to put in a huge shift on Sunday if they are to take that leap forward to the quarter-finals.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
1. Scott Sio (60 Tests)
2. Tolu Latu (16 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (34 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (22 Tests)
5. Rory Arnold (23 Tests)
6. David Pocock (79 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (96 Tests)
8. Isi Naisarani (5 Tests)
9. Will Genia (106 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (70 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (25 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (30 Tests)
13. James O’Connor (49 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (119 Tests)
15. Dane Haylett-Petty (34 Tests)
Replacements:
16. Jordan Uelese (5 Tests)
17. James Slipper (92 Tests)
18. Sekope Kepu (107 Tests)
19. Adam Coleman (35 Tests)
20. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (17 Tests)
21. Nic White (27 Tests)
22. Matt To’omua (48 Tests)
23. Kurtley Beale (88 Tests)
