Michael Cheika has dropped a major selection bombshell ahead of this weekend’s Test against South Africa by punting mainstay five-eighth Bernard Foley to the bench in place of Kurtley Beale, whose No.12 jersey will be filled by Matt Toomua for the must-win fixture at Suncorp Stadium.
The under-siege Wallabies coach has made the bold call to dump Foley in what he clearly hopes will be a quick fix to Australia’s woes after two heavy defeats to New Zealand.
Punted: Bernard Foley has been dropped for the South Africa clash.
It is the biggest selection shake-up since the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Foley has started in his last 51 Tests in a gold jersey, with 46 of these at No.10. He shifted to No.12 on five occasions in 2016 to play alongside Quade Cooper but has played all but two Tests (Uruguay, 2015, and Japan, 2017) since August 2014.
Foley’s demotion presents Beale the keys to the chief playmaking role in what will be his first start at No.10 for the Wallabies since facing the All Blacks in that role in Auckland in 2014.
As for Toomua, his last start at No.12 for Australia came in the third Test of the England series in 2016.
In other team news, Israel Folau and David Pocock have been named in the starting side. However, Folau appeared to be limping after his training session when he arrived at the team hotel on Thursday afternoon. The Wallabies could still rule him out before game day.
Prop Sekope Kepu is another major casualty from this Wallabies team, the New South Welshman left out of the match day 23 altogether in what is a clear sign that reputations mean very little at the moment with the team scratching for momentum.
Allan Alaalatoa will start on the tight-head side, while Taniela Tupou has overcome a hamstring injury to take his place on the Wallabies bench.
Meanwhile, young second-rower Izack Rodda has been punted back to the bench in place of new starter Rory Arnold, whose physical presence will be imperative for the Wallabies if they are to snap a four-game losing streak.
Halfback Nick Phipps has been ruled out of the match due to a rib injury he picked up in the Shute Shield final, with Joe Powell set to earn his first bench spot since the Sydney Test against Ireland.
Cheika has opted to stick with Tatafu Polota-Nau and Folau Faingaa as the side's hookers but decided to squeeze back-rower Ned Hanigan into the match day 23 at the expense of Pete Samu.
Wallabies team to face South Africa
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