Wallabies lose flyer Tomane

An injury at training has forced a late change to the Wallabies starting XV for Saturday's clash with Wales, with wing Cooper Vuna called into the team.


Brumbies wing Joe Tomane suffered a syndesmosis injury in his left ankle during Thursday's session on the Ballymore Number Two ground, and has been replaced in the Test line-up by Melbourne Rebels flyer Cooper Vuna.


Tomane, who made his Test debut against Scotland in Newcastle on Wednesday, underwent scans following the training ground mishap. He is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.


Vuna, who joined the Rebels last year after a successful career in rugby league, trained on the right wing in the place of Tomane during Thursday's session.


Vuna becomes the ninth change to the starting XV that we defeated 9-6 by Scotland on Tuesday.


The side has an all-new front row and includes lock Rob Simmons and No.8 Wycliff Palu.


There were also three changes to the backline, as fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper and centres Rob Horne and Pat McCabe weigh in for the Welsh encounter.


Australia (revised): 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Cooper Vuna, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock (captain), 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: Stephen Moore, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dave Dennis, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Nic White, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Mike Harris.


Date: Saturday, June 9

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 20.00 (10.00 GMT)

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)