Beale handed pivotal role to kickstart misfiring Wallabies

Under-pressure Australia coach Michael Cheika hopes a selection “shake-up” that has demoted regular fly-half Bernard Foley to the bench can ignite the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship with a win over South Africa in Brisbane tomorrow. Foley started in the No. 10 jersey in his last 24 Tests but has paid the price after subdued performances in heavy back-to-back defeats to the champion All Blacks.

Kurtley Beale, who had been deployed at inside centre for the past year, assumes the playmaking position for the first time since 2014 as Cheika looks to spark an attack that managed only three tries in both matches against New Zealand.

Matt Toomua, who has returned from a stint in England, has been promoted from the bench to play at inside centre in the match at Lang Park.

“I suppose I just wanted to shake it up a little bit,” Cheika told reporters in Brisbane yesterday. “We’ve had some good things that have happened in the games, I know that hasn’t been brought out but there’s been some good things and I think that Toomua’s return, he’s shown a lot of good things as well around the place and he’s brought some of that on-field as well.

“I just thought I’d try a different combination and give them an opportunity together.” Prop Sekope Kepu has been left out of the matchday squad altogether, while Rory Arnold comes in at the expense of lock Izack Rodda, who was ineffective against the All Blacks. Despite coming into the tournament full of optimism, the Wallabies were largely woeful against the All Blacks, crumbling quickly when the pressure was on, while raising familiar concerns about their skills and fitness levels.