Coach Les Kiss elevated Declan Meredith to playmaker in one of four changes as the Wallabies look to rebound from a crushing Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks.
Meredith will earn his fourth cap at flyhalf in Sydney on Saturday, replacing Ben Donaldson, who is unavailable with a minor upper leg injury. He will form a familiar partnership with Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan.
Loosehead prop Aidan Ross comes in for Angus Bell, who will be used off the bench to add strike power in the second half after the Wallabies were overrun in the final 40 minutes at Eden Park last weekend.
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Australia went into that game on an unbeaten six-match streak and were only trailing 17-14 at the break before falling to pieces and crashing 50-19.
Ross is one of two changes to the front row, with hooker Josh Nasser replacing Brandon Paenga-Amosa alongside the experienced Allan Alaalatoa.
Australia go into the game without influential centre Len Ikitau, who is concussed. In his absence, Joseph Suaalii shifts to outside centre, partnering Isaac Henry in the midfield, with Harry Potter coming into the side on the left wing.
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There are a number of shifts on the bench, with Billy Pollard recalled, combining with Bell and Massimo De Lutiis as the replacement front row. Josh Canham will make his return from injury as the substitute lock, with Carlo Tizzano providing the remaining forward cover.
As holders, the All Blacks have already retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th straight time.
WALLABIES – 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross.
Bench: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Josh Canham, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
– AFP
Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
The post Su shifts to 13, Meredith at 10 for Wallabies appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach Les Kiss elevated Declan Meredith to playmaker in one of four changes as the Wallabies look to rebound from a crushing Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks.
The post Su shifts to 13, Meredith at 10 for Wallabies appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
