Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has dropped a Bledisloe bombshell, dropping Scott Fardy out of the starting 15 for Saturday’s opening Test against the All Blacks.
Fardy has started in all but one Test since Cheika took over the national coaching job, a crucial part of the Wallabies’ run to a World Cup final and will come off the bench for the Bledisloe clash and has been replaced Ben McCalman.
Cheika has opted to stick with the combination of Michael Hooper and David Pocock at seven and eight, reuniting the pair for the first time since the opening June Test against England.
Returning Europe‑based players Will Genia, Adam Ashley‑Cooper and Matt Giteau will all reprise their roles from last year’s World Cup, in their first appearance on home soil this year.
Bernard Foley has bested Quade Cooper in the starting flyhalf spot, with Cheika opting for the same playmaking spine that he took to the World Cup final.
Meanwhile, Quade Cooper was not included in the match day squad.
The Wallabies will play the All Blacks on Saturday at 10.05pm in Sydney.
The Wallabies squad for the first game against New Zealand.
1. Scott Sio (18 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (105 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (66 Tests)
4. Kane Douglas (23 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (62 Tests)
6. Ben McCalman (48 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (54 Tests)
8. David Pocock (56 Tests)
9. Will Genia (66 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (30 Tests)
11. Dane Haylett‑Petty (3 Tests)
12. Matt Giteau (102 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (34 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley‑Cooper (114 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (41 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota‑Nau (64 Tests)
17. James Slipper (77 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa* (0 Tests)
19. Dean Mumm (46 Tests)
20. Scott Fardy (33 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (42 Tests)
22. Matt Toomua (32 Tests)
23. Rob Horne (32 Tests)
[Source: aru.com]
