Cheika Keeps Fijian Combo
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has stuck with his Fijian combination as they take on England in tomorrow’s Test clash in Twickenham, London.
Naming his starting line-up, Cheika has retained Marika Koroibete at win with Tevita Kuridrani at centre while Samu Kerevi is at inside centre. Lock Adam Coleman has been named retained despite battling a thumb injury this week. Coleman hit his thumb playing for the Wallabies against Wales last weekend, but played through the injury in the final minutes, and was confident after the game that it would be okay.
He only played a bit part in training earlier in the week, with Thursday’s training the decisive factor in the team selection. The lock made it through the session, ultimately named for the Test, but will be closely monitored ahead of the game. Cheika has also backed Kerevi in against England, keeping the Reds centre at 12, with Karmichael Hunt on the bench for the second week in a row.
Kerevi has made the most of his starting opportunities in the last fortnight, showing his progress in defence. Though he wasn’t as dominant against Wales as he was against Japan, Kerevi did enough to hold out Hunt in that starting line-up. Meanwhile, England head coach Eddie Jones has has made four changes to the side that beat Argentina 21-8. Owen Farrell makes a return to the team for the first time this season in place of Henry Slade at inside centre. Jonny May has been passed fit and will play on the right wing.
“I have selected the strongest 23 to play Australia and we will have to be effective in everything we do this weekend to win,” said Jones.
He has also named two Fijians- Nathan Hughes at No.8 while wing Semesa Rokoduguni is on the bench.
LINE-UPS
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio
Bench: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Lopeti Timani, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Karmichael Hunt, 24 Henry Speight
England: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Jonny May, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Mako Vunipola
Bench: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Danny Care, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Semesa Rokoduguni