Through Nick Mulvenney
Sydney – For the first time in his three years as Wallabies coach, Dave Rennie was able to name an unchanged starting lineup on Thursday, making only one alteration to his bench for this weekend’s match against South Africa.
Australia are second in the Rugby Championship after defeating the world champion Springboks 25-17 in Adelaide last weekend. On Saturday at Sydney Football Stadium, Australia will attempt to win consecutive games for the first time this season.
Six tests into the season, Rennie’s attempts to find some continuity in his choices have been thwarted by a long list of injuries to his team.
Jake Gordon was selected as the backup scrumhalf in lieu of Tate McDermott on the forward-heavy replacements bench.
The team that won Australia’s third game of the season last week has earned the right to play in front of a sold-out crowd on Saturday, according to Rennie.
“While ecstatic with last week’s performance, we are well aware of the difficulty posed by a wounded Springbok and the intensity we will need again on Saturday night,” he said.
Rennie has kept Noah Lolesio at flyhalf despite recalling the seasoned Bernard Foley to his squad, while the versatile Reece Hodge is given another opportunity to claim the fullback position as his own.
Prop James Slipper will again captain the team in his 121st test, tying him with Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper for the third-most tests played by an Australian after George Gregan and Stephen Moore.
Earlier this month, Hooper returned home from the Argentina trip after informing team management that he was not in the proper mental state to play.
Fraser McReight once more replaces the former captain at openside flanker in the back row, which also includes Rob Valetini at number eight and Jed Holloway on the blindside.
Holloway and the rest of the New South Wales Waratahs will play their debut game at the freshly renovated 42,500-seat stadium that will serve as their new home.
15-Reece Hodge, Team fourteen-year-old Tom Wright, 13-Len Ikitau, 12-Hunter Paisami, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Nic White and 8-Rob Valetini, 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Jed Holloway, which 5-Matt Philip, Arnold, 4-Rory 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Folau Fainga’a, 1-James Slipper (captain)
18-Taniela Tupou, 16-Dave Porecki, 17-Scott Sio, and 18-Taniela Tupou serve as replacements. 19-Darcy Swain, 20-Rob Leota, 21-Pete Samu, 22-Jake Gordon, Andrew Kellaway, number 23