WARATAHS halves Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley have been promoted into the Wallabies starting side for Saturday night’s Test against the Springboks in Perth.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie on Tuesday unveiled Foley and Phipps as two of four changes to his starting side for the Patersons Stadium clash with James Hanson’s inclusion at hooker the only fresh face in the pack.
The Reds rake is Australia’s fourth-string hooker with Nathan Charles joining Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau on the injured list following the Wallabies’ disastrous 51-20 loss to the All Blacks in Bledisloe II.
Saturday night’s match will also see Tevita Kuridrani return at outside centre with Adam Ashley-Cooper shifting to the wing after Pat McCabe’s injury-forced retirement.
But the biggest talking point is Foley’s inclusion at No.10 with McKenzie reverting to the 10-12 combination – with Matt Toomua at inside centre – that was so successful against France in June.
Nic White and Kurtley Beale drop back to the bench after starting both Bledisloe encounters.
McKenzie said the selection of the Waratahs halves would give the Wallabies the best chance of beating the Springboks.
“While the size of the challenge isn’t any easier this week, the South Africans do play a unique brand of rugby which we will need to adjust to,” McKenzie said.
“That’s reflected in our selections somewhat, where we feel the partnership of Nick and Bernard will best suit the style of game we’ll be trying to play.
“They’ve got a proven combination at a Super Rugby level and we look forward to seeing how that translates into the Test environment.
“It’s naturally disappointing for the two guys who missed out on the starting team in Nic and Kurtley, but the reality is we have a lot of good players in those playmaking positions.
“We expect them to respond in a positive manner and to make an impact playing an important role in how we close out the match.”
There are some changes on the bench as well with Saia Faingaa, James Horwill and Matt Hodgson all included in a six-two split.
Needing to combat the Springboks’ physicality in the forwards, McKenzie has opted for just two backline reserves in White and Beale.
Full squad: (15-1) Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Sekope Kepu, James Hanson, James Slipper. Res: Saia Faingaa, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Nic White, Kurtley Beale.
