Huge test for Hodge
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named Reece Hodge to start at outside centre for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
It will be the 23-year old’s first Test start in the No.13 jersey with the versatile back having featured in nearly every other position in the Wallabies backline.
With Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani out injured, Hodge was always going to fill the gap in the midfield and he will be partnered with Kurtley Beale, who starts in the No.12 jersey.
Veteran Tatafu Polota-Nau will get the chance to add to his 82 Test caps after returning home from club duty in England to start in the hooker position while captain Michael Hooper (hamstring) and Dane Haylett-Petty (knee) have overcome injury concerns.
In-form prop Tom Robertson will earn just his third starting appearance in the absence of Scott Sio, after the latter was ruled out due to a shoulder complaint.
Boom youngster Jack Maddocks may earn his Test debut after being named on Michael Cheika’s bench alongside Matt Toomua, who has recently signed with the Melbourne Rebels for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
The Wallabies won their last meeting with New Zealand 23-18 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane last October to break a seven-match losing streak dating back to August 2015.
The three-Test Bledisloe Cup Series will move to Auckland next weekend before the final clash in Yokohama, Japan in October.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Jack Maddocks.
Date: Saturday, August 18
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20.05 (22.05 NZ time; 10.05 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)