Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made fourΒ changes to his starting side – including benching Quade Cooper – Β for the final Bledisloe Cup clashΒ against New Zealand at Eden Park.
Nick Phipps will wear the number 9 jersey in the absence of Will Genia and joins Bernard Foley in the halves – Quade moves to the bench.
Foley’s shift to flyhalf sees Reece Hodge claim the numberΒ 12 jersey, with the Melbourne Rebels star moving to his preferred position for the first time in the Gold jersey.
It’s a return to the Test arena for Brumbies winger Henry Speight who hasn’t featured for the Wallabies in over a year, after his stint in the Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens squad.
Speight scored a try in his last start for the Wallabies, dotting down in the 65-3 rout of Uruguay at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
In stark contrast, Cheika has named an unchanged forward pack for the first time in 2016 with Lopeti Timani holding onto the number 8 jersey after David Pocock proved his fitness late on.
Pocock will come off the bench at Eden Park in what will be his first Test since breaking his hand in the 36-20 win overΒ Argentina on September 17.
The final Bledisloe Cup clash willΒ be aΒ special occasion forΒ captain StephenΒ Moore, who will become theΒ fourth most-capped Wallaby in history, overtaking George SmithΒ when he runs out for his 112th Test.
It will be an historic night at Eden ParkΒ asΒ theΒ first-ever double-header, with the Buildcorp Wallaroos to face the Black FernsΒ at 3pm AEDT.
The Test between the Wallaroos and the Black FernsΒ will be screened LIVE in High Definition and ad-break free on FOX SPORTS 502 from 2.55pm AEDT.
The Test between the Qantas Wallabies and New Zealand will be screened LIVE in High Definition and ad-break free on FOX SPORTS 502 from 5.00pm AEDT and LIVE on Ten from 5.30pm AEDT for NSW,Β ACT and QLD viewers (on ONE in other Australian States and Territories). Fans can also LIVE stream the match on Foxtel GO (for Foxtel subscribers) and on TenPlay.
Qantas Wallabies team to play New Zealand in final Bledisloe Cup clash at Eden Park, Auckland,Β Saturday 22Β October, 7:35pm local time (5.35pm AEDT)
1. Scott Sio (24Β Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (111Β Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (72Β Tests)
4. Rory Arnold (5Β Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (6Β Tests)
6. Dean Mumm (52Β Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (60Β Tests)
8. Lopeti Timani (2Β Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (47 Tests)
10.Β Bernard Foley (36Β Tests)
11. Henry Speight (5 Tests)
12.Β Reece Hodge (5Β Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (7Β Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (9Β Tests)
15. Israel Folau (47Β Tests)
Reserves
16. James Hanson (11Β Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (3Β Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (4Β Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (65 Tests)
20. David Pocock (60 Tests)
21.Β Nick Frisby (2 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (63 Tests)
23. Sefa Naivalu (1 Test)