‘A good game for Genia to play’

LONDON: Australia’s in-form scrumhalf Will Genia will replace Nick Phipps against Scotland at Murrayfield tomorrow in coach Mike Cheika’s only change to the team that crushed Wales 32-8 in Cardiff last weekend.

Genia is available after being released by his French club Stade Francais following a stellar season and Cheika is pleased with the stiff competition for the No 9 spot in the Wallabies’ squad.

“I think Phipps had two really good games, I do, against New Zealand then against Wales,” Cheika said.

“But Genia, I think he’s been one of our best all season. I just feel that this is a good game for him to play, come back in and get straight into it and then Nick will finish the game. I think Nick’s standard has definitely gone up from what I saw earlier in the year and now there’s a real competition going on there.”

Cheika also praised No 8 Lopeti Timani, who has started Australia’s last three Tests after replacing David Pocock against Argentina last month. “He’s continually making me pick him,” Cheika added.

Pocock will start at blindside flank for the second time in his Test career, while the returning Dean Mumm has been named among the substitutes.

Meanwhile, hooker Ross Ford will become only the third player to reach 100 caps for Scotland as he spearheads a new-look front row against Australia.

Ford, who made his debut against Australia 12 years ago, will join Chris Paterson (109) and Sean Lamont (105) as Scotland’s only cap centurions when Vern Cotter’s side open their autumn campaign at Murrayfield. – Reuters