New faces bring energy to Wallabies bench

Fri, Jun 9, 2017, 3:27 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Michael Hooper admits he's more ready to lead now than when he last skippered the Wallabies almost two years ago. He'll captain a side that features four potential debutants against Fiji at AAMI Park tomorrow afternoon.

Fresh faces Richard Hardwick and Joe Powell are in the mix to make it four Wallabies debutants against Fiji on Saturday.

Hardwick and Powell have been named on the bench for the clash, with the eight reserves announced at Friday's captain's run.

Captain Stephen Moore has also been confirmed as the back-up hooker, after being a surprise omission from the starting team named on Thursday.

Toby Smith and Sekope Kepu will be the other front rowers on the bench, with lock Rory Arnold backing up for Adam Coleman and Sam Carter.

Reece Hodge, who lost out to debutant Karmichael Hunt in the starting team, is one of three backs on the pine, along with Quade Cooper and Powell.

National skills coach Mick Byrne said the new faces had brought an exciting energy to the group, in what has been a short turnaround to the Test.

 "The energy they bring to a game anecdotally watching and then you see them prepare at training and you realise why they’ve been like that," he said.

"Their form has been good during the year, their preparation has been great and they’ve forced their way into that position by doing it during the year and repeating it during this week.

"To come into their first camp and bring what they bring has been great,"

The Wallabies take on Fiji on Saturday at AAMI Park, kicking off at 3pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS. Buy tickets here.

TEAM

Wallabies to face Fiji

1. Tom Robertson (7 Tests)

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (68 Tests)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (9 Tests)

4. Sam Carter (13 Tests)

5. Adam Coleman (9 Tests)

6. Ned Hanigan*

7. Michael Hooper (c) (65 Tests)

8. Scott Higginbotham (32 Tests)

9. Will Genia (75 Tests)

10. Bernard Foley (42 Tests)

11. Henry Speight (11 Tests)

12. Karmichael Hunt*

13. Tevita Kuridrani (45 Tests)

14. Dane Haylett-Petty (14 Tests)

15. Israel Folau (52 Tests)

Reserves

16. Stephen Moore (117 Tests)

17. Toby Smith (4 Tests)

18. Sekope Kepu (77 Tests)

19. Rory Arnold (9 Tests)

20. Richard Hardwick*

21. Joe Powell*

22. Quade Cooper (67 Tests)

23. Reece Hodge (10 Tests)

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