Pocock to lead Australia against Samoa
David Pocock will return from injury and leads Australia in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up game, against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium.
Back-row Pocock has been absent since March 8 but is back to skipper a much-changed Wallabies XV announced by head coach Michael Cheika. There is a mix of World Cup squad members who were either lightly used in the Rugby Championships, or players from outside the 31-man squad.
The backline has undergone the most change, with Bernard Foley, Matt To’omua and Adam Ashley-Cooper making up an entirely new starting midfield, and with Dane Haylett-Petty and Tom Banks given their first starts since the Wallabies’ loss in Johannesburg in July.
Up front Jordan Uelese will get his first start for the Wallabies, and along with Pocock, Jack Dempsey will run on in the number eight jersey. On the bench, Brumbies rookie Rob Valetini will get the chance to make a Wallabies debut after an injury-plagued few seasons.
Tatafu Polota-Nau has been named as the replacement hooker, in what could be his last Wallabies Test. The 34-year-old, who missed World Cup selection but is on-standby, has announced
he will be retiring from international rugby after the World Cup.
Departing scrum-half Nick Phipps and Rebels forward Luke Jones, who both also missed World Cup selection, have been named on the bench.
LINE-UP
Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matt To’omua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Rob Valetini, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 James O’Connor
Samoa: 1. Jordan Lay, 2. Ray Niuia, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Teofilo Paulo, 5. Kane Leaupepe,
6. TJ Ioane, 7. Jack Lam, 8. Afaesetiti Amosa,
9. Scott Malolua, 10. Tusi Pisi, 11. Ed Fidow, 12. Reynold Lee-Lo, 13. Alapati Leiua, 14. Belgium Tuatagaloa, 15. Tim Nanai-Williams. Reserves- 16. Motu Matuu, 17. Paul Alo-Emile,
18. Logovii Mulipola, 19. Josh Tyrell, 20. Seilala Lam, 21. Dwayne Polataivao, 22. AJ Alatimu, 23. Ah See Tuala
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand); Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Cam Stone (New Zealand); TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand).