Cheika Makes Four Changes To Wallabies Team
Winger Henry Speight will make his Test debut for Australia in Saturday’s GUINNESS Series showdown with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 4.30pm).
Henry Speight will become the third player to make his debut for Australia on their spring tour, joining fellow recent new caps Sean McMahon and Tetera Faulkner. The 26-year-old is one of four changes made to the starting line-up for Saturday’s game.
The other switches see lock Sam Carter, back rower Luke Jones and centre Matt Toomua come into a team that boasts 488 Test caps.
Jones has earned his first start for the Wallabies in just his second match at Test level, following his debut against France in Melbourne in June, while Carter and Toomua will earn their 10th caps for the Wallabies in 2014.
An extended bench has been selected, with the final line-up to be confirmed and announced closer to the match.
Australia head coach Michael Cheika explained: “Henry (pictured above) has done all the right things to earn his selection, has had an outstanding Super Rugby season and deserves his opportunity to play for Australia.
“He is very passionate about representing Australia and we’re all looking forward to seeing him bring his best attributes to our game.
“The other changes have been made to give the other players who have been knocking on the door an opportunity to start a Test match on this tour.
“All our changes will bring a new energy into the team and I know everyone is looking forward to the opportunities our match against Ireland will bring.”
The Wallabies commenced their spring tour and Cheika’s coaching era with an entertaining 40-36 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham and toppled Wales 33-28 at the Millennium Stadium, before going down 29-26 to France in Paris last weekend.
AUSTRALIA Team & Replacements (v Ireland, 2014 GUINNESS Series, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, November 22, kick-off 4.30pm):
Player/Province/Caps –
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs) 27
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs) 102
13. Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies) 19
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies) 19
11. Henry Speight (ACT Brumbies) *
10. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs) 16
9. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs) 26
1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds) 61
2. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds) 34
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs) 50
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies) 9
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds) 48
6. Luke Jones (Melbourne Rebels) 1
7. Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs) 40 (capt)
8. Ben McCalman (Western Force) 36
Replacements:
16. James Hanson (Queensland Reds) 7
17. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs) 70
18. Tetera Faulkner (Western Force) 1
19. Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs) 6
20. Jake Schatz (Queensland Reds) 1
21. Will Genia (Queensland Reds) 57
22. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds) 51
23. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs) 47
* Denotes uncapped player