A golden old debutant, a front row mark, the return of the rising Sun triangle, a gross dozen Brumbies but no Thor from Tonga and only one Red. Dave Rennie’s 23 Wallabies team for Saturday’s first test against England is a tough, fast, freewheeling team designed to run uneven England, break Eddie Jones ’streak of eight straight wins and reverse 3-0 of England in 2016.
Brumbies blockbuster Caderyn Neville has caught the headlines, making his debut at the age of 33 after being part of the national teams since 2012. The 120kg and 2.02m tall official who represented Australia in rowing at the Olympic Games Youth in 2006 and played his first rugby match. at the age of 21, he has finally been named as a competitor, after being overlooked by four Wallabies coaches over the past decade.
Neville will partner with Darcy Swain as the new blocking pair in the absence of injured Izack Rodda and Frenchman Rory Arnold. Swain will mark the lineup, an area that England will compete fiercely while kicking long and often for the margin. Neville is a hand-held ball gun to divide England in the middle, as is his support on the bench, Matt Philip, a workhorse who rides it until the cows return home.
Waratah warhorse Michael Hooper will captain Australia in his 119th test, teaming up with the three-test feel of the Melbourne Rebels, Rob Leota, and Brumby barnstormer Rob Valetini, in a fast-paced, combative back row designed to fight England in the collision and perhaps unleash the thunderous maul that so successful. this year for the ACT coached by Rennie’s new assistant, Dan McKellar.
The exciting 25-year-old Valetini was arguably the best Super Rugby striker in 2022, and his duel with the remembered Sydney-born No. 8 Billy Vunipola will be an intriguing contest. Despite crossing the line of winning in 125 actions in the 2022 super season (the highest of any player), Queensland’s Harry Wilson has been omitted, as Pete Samu’s versatility wins him the concert and a 20th head as a backrower secondary in this first test.
In front, as he feared, Taniela Tupou’s calf injury rules him out, with experienced Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa as the starter with the No. 3 jersey. It’s a major blow to Rennie’s stopped ball in an area that England will point, despite the absence of its own presenter Kyle Sinckler. Angus Bell, just 21 but already in 16 games, will start with a loose-headed prop, with Brumbies accessories Scott Sio and James Slipper coming off the bench. Waratah Dave Porecki, 29, makes his debut as a prostitute.
Behind the group, Nic White is once again Rennie’s defensive midfielder, a sure sign that his kick-off game will be crucial in a series that is expected to be fought in the air. Jake Gordon’s bigger frame and hot form for the revived NSW have earned him the role of assistant midfielder over Tate McDermott. They will likely face cunning veteran Danny Care, whose club-level relationship with Marcus Smith, Jones is desperate to replicate in this series.
Quade Cooper during training on the Sunshine Coast. Photography: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images
On his back, Rennie has given 33-year-old hipster Quade Cooper the keys to unlocking the Wallabies’ offensive mojo. Having led the victories over the South African world champions in last year’s five-game winning streak, Cooper’s quick hands and mercurial spirit could dismantle England’s structure. Relying on his unique vision and 75 tests of experience, Rennie sends a message of welcome to Wallabies fans who have suffered for a long time: defeating the old enemy is what we have in mind, the Cup plans of the World pass second.
That said, the decision to cut James O’Connor for young master Noah Lolesio on the bench shows that Rennie wants half of the Brumbies ’fly to learn under Cooper’s wing before his ascension in 2023. Out of Cooper there will be his Japanese return teammate Samu Kerevi reactivating. his successful 10/12 collaboration with Len Ikitau as they fight English Channel shippers Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell, whose alchemy undid Australia last November, with winger Freddie Steward firing his hip .
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On the wings, Wallabies match winner Marika Koriebete faces Joe Cokanasiga, the young 120kg England winger with knee injuries and three Covid attacks. At the back, Tom Banks has kept the No. 15 jersey despite moving to Japan next year, with Andrew Kellaway scoring machine on the far right. The team’s only reds player, prodigy Jordan Petaia, returns to his utilitarian back role from the bench, ready to fight the Steward with air movement in the air.
“The whole team has worked hard over the last fortnight for what will be a tough three-match series against a very good England team,” Rennie told the media in Thursday’s announcement. “Getting their first trophies is a proud occasion for David, Cadeyrn and their families, with both men taking a unique journey to make their dream of wearing the Wallabies jersey come true.
“The honor of representing our country is a big motivating factor and we will do our best to make a performance that makes all Australians proud.”