Coach Michael Cheika has made 10 changes to the Wallabies’ starting lineup for their last pool match against Georgia in Shizuoka on Friday.
Cheika made wholesale changes to the team, with only five players – Kurtley Beale, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Jordan Petaia and Jack Dempsey – from the starting XV that beat Uruguay 45-10 on Saturday surviving the cut.
Beale and White remain stationed at fullback and scrumhalf, respectively, but Toomua moves from inside centre to flyhalf, Dempsey shifts from flank to No 8, and Petaia reverts from left to right wing. At 19, Petaia is Australia’s youngest-ever World Cup player.
David Pocock returns to the starting XV and takes over the captaincy in the absence of regular skipper Michael Hooper, who has been rested for this match.
Australia – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 James O’Connor, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Michael Hooper, 21 Will Genia, 22 Christian Lealiifano, 22 Dane Haylett-Petty.
Photo: David Gray/EPA
