Michael Cheka has decided to back the experienced James Slipper and Sekope Kepu to sort out Australia‘s trouble at the scrum ahead of their second Test against England in Melbourne on Saturday.
Tighthead Greg Holmes drops to the replacement bench but there is no room for Scott Sio in the squad after the torrid time he endured against Dan Cole in the first Test in Brisbane.
There are two further changes in the pack with Sam Carter taking over from Rob Simmons at lock while Sean McMahon will start at No.8 in place of the injured David Pocock.
“Based on last weekend’s performance, we decided that we wanted some new combinations for Saturday’s game,” said head coach Cheika.
“Sean never takes a backwards step while James and Sekope add plenty of Test match experience.”
Australia: Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; James Slipper, Stephen Moore (c), Sekope Kepu; Rory Arnold, Sam Carter; Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Sean McMahon
Replacements (three to be omitted): Tatafu Polota-Nau, Toby Smith, Greg Holmes, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Liam Gill, Nick Frisby, Christian Leali’ifano, Luke Morahan