Wales v Australia preview
Leigh Halfpenny will make his long awaited return to Test rugby after being given a start at fullback against Australia.
Halfpenny has not played for Wales since damaging knee ligaments in a World Cup warm-up match against Italy 14 months ago.
Ross Moriarty, who impressed on tour in New Zealand, has been given the No.8 duties and replaces the injured Taulupe Faletau at the base of the scrum.
Youngsters Sam Davies and Cory Hill will win their first caps if they get on from the bench.
Wales are without captain Sam Warburton, Liam Williams, Jake Ball, Scott Williams as well as Faletau due to injury, while Alun Wyn-Jones will miss the game after the passing of his father this week.
Gethin Jenkins, Wales most capped player in test history, will captain the side in the absence of Warburton.
Wales have failed to beat the Wallabies since they won in Cardiff 21-18 in 2008, suffering 11 consecutive defeats to the men in gold.
Acting Wales Head Coach, Rob Howley said: “It’s great to welcome back Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Lydiate, and Alex Cuthbert who missed the New Zealand tour plus George North and Gethin Jenkins who left the tour early with injury.
“With losing Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau and Alun Wyn Jones, we have spoken a lot about the leadership group this week and their importance on the field.
“From the Welsh squad’s perspective, our thoughts go out to Alun Wyn and his family at this difficult time. As a squad, we have a mantra of family coming first off the field, that’s always the case and obviously so here.
“With the two uncapped players, Sam Davies has played particularly well, he deserves his chance and hopefully will have an influence on the game. Cory comes onto the bench, with Rory (Thornton) having picked up a back spasm, and we are delighted with him and how he has stepped up to this level in training.”
Australian Head Coach Michael Cheika has named David Pocock as his starting blindside, it will be the first time Pocock has worn the No.6 jersey in test rugby.
Dean Mumm is serving a one-match ban for striking Brodie Retallick in the last Bledisloe Cup match, leaving his spot vacant for Pocock.
Elsewhere Tevita Kuridrani replaces Samu Kerevi at outside centre, the Reds man is suffering with an ankle injury.
Waratahs hooker, Tolu Latu, could be the 12th Wallaby to win their first cap in 2016 after being named on the bench to replace the injured James Hanson.
Scott Fardy and James Slipper will join Latu on the bench, completing the changes for Cheika’s side.
“I just think away from home [Pocock brings] that extra bit of seniority in the side.
“They [Hooper and Pocock] can share the openside work if they want to and do things differently. That’ll be, I just think that’s the right feel.
“The like for like would’ve been the go with Fardy but I think that Pocock has added qualities that he’ll bring to this game,” said Cheika.
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Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon, 62 Caps); Alex Cuthbert (Blues, 42 Caps), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, 56 Caps), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins, 83 Caps), George North (Northampton, 62 Caps); Dan Biggar (Ospreys, 48 Caps), Rhys Webb (Ospreys, 22 Caps); Gethin Jenkins (C) (Blues, 126 Caps), Ken Owens (Scarlets, 42 Caps), Samson Lee (Scarlets, 26 Caps); Bradley Davies (Ospreys, 56 Caps), Luke Charteris (Bath, 68 Caps); Dan Lydiate (Ospreys, 57 Caps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, 43 Caps), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester, 9 Caps)
Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys, 24 Caps), Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 3 Caps), Tomas Francis (Exeter, 14 Caps), Cory Hill (NG Dragons, Uncapped), James King (Ospreys, 8 Caps), Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 17 Caps), Sam Davies (Ospreys, Uncapped), Hallam Amos (NG Dragons, 10 Caps)
Australia: Isreal Folau (Waratahs, 48 Caps); Dane Haylett-Petty (Western Force, 10 Caps), Tevita Kurindrani (Brumbies, 40 Caps), Reece Hodge (Rebels, 6 Caps), Henry Speight (Brumbies, 6 Caps); Bernard Foley (Waratahs, 37 Caps), Nick Phipps (Waratahs, 48 Caps); Scott Sio (Brumbies, 25 Caps), Stephen Moore (C) (Brumbies, 112 Caps), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs, 73 Caps); Rory Arnold (Brumbies, 6 Caps), Adam Coleman (Western Force, 7 Caps); David Pocock (Brumbies, 61 Caps), Michael Hooper (Waratahs, 61 Caps), Lopeti Timani (Rebels, 3 Caps)
Replacements: Tolu Latu, (Waratahs, Uncapped), James Slipper (Reds, 82 Caps), Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies 5 Caps), Rob Simmons (Reds, 66 Caps), Scott Fardy (Brumbies, 37 Caps), Nick Frisby (Reds, 3 Caps), Quade Cooper (Reds, 64 Caps), Sefa Naivalu (Rebels, 2 Caps)
ED HUTSON
