Will Genia and Bernard Foley have been selected as the halfback pairing in two of four changes to the Wallabies side for their crunch World Cup match against Wales in Tokyo on Sunday.
Foley and Genia will resume their long-standing partnership for the first time at this World Cup after being brought into the run-on XV in place of Christian Lealiifano and Nic White.
The controversial suspension of Reece Hodge opened the door for veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper to start on the right wing, while coach Michael Cheika sprung a surprise with the selection of Dane Haylett-Petty at the expense of the mercurial Kurtley Beale.
Australia’s pack is unchanged, while White and Beale are the only new additions to the bench.
Australia – 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 James O’Connor, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 David Pocock, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 21 Nic White, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Photo: Stuart Walmsey/Wallabies
