Dempsey, Koroibete, Rodda to make first starts for Oz

JACK DEMPSEY, Marika Koroibete and Izack Rodda will make their first starts for Australia in the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa tomorrow, with coach Michael Cheika saying the trio had earned their places in the first team.

Flank Dempsey will replace Ned Hanigan, while Koroibete will pick up his second cap on the wing instead of Henry Speight. Rodda takes over from Rob Simmons among the locks. Cheika said all three had deserved an opportunity to start after impressing off the bench.

The 23-year-old Dempsey has made a strong comeback since missing much of the Super Rugby season with a broken foot and is expected to add a fiery streak to the forward pack. Rodda continues a whirlwind start to his career after making his Reds debut earlier this year and winning a first cap against the All Blacks last month.

Cheika said he was not concerned about giving the 21-year-old the start as he had shown he can handle the big occasion.

“His lineout work is good. He is young, he is eager and like I said, I want to give them these experiences so they can learn,” Cheika said.

Koroibete switched from rugby league last year and won a first cap as a substitute against Argentina in Canberra earlier this month. Cheika said getting the start tomorrow would help his development in union.

Tomorrow’s Test marks a 50th cap for flyhalf Bernard Foley. Former captain Stephen Moore is the only major change to the bench, the hooker coming back in place of Jordan Uelese. – Reuters