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Wallabies forced into late change

Wallabies forced into late change

Under fire Australia coach Robbie Deans has been forced into a late change to his starting line-up for Saturday’s opening Test match against Wales at Suncorp Stadium.

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Having already named a side showing eight changes to the side which lost in the pouring rain to Scotland on Tuesday, Brumbies winger Joe Tomane turned an ankle in training today. Uncapped Melbourne Rebels rugby league convert Cooper Vuna takes his place.

The Wallabies suffered a shock 9-6 defeat to Scotland in Newcastle with the Kiwi coach reacting swiftly by making a raft of changes.

The Australian scrum was under pressure throughout against the Scots which has forced Deans to install an all-Waratahs front-row of Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson.

Second row Rob Simmons and No 8 Wycliff Palu also return to the starting line-up with Scott Higginbotham moving to the blindside to accommodate Palu’s return.

Deans has also re-shuffled his backline, including Adam Ashley-Cooper at full-back and partnering Rob Horne and Pat McCabe in the centres.

The Wallabies beat Wales 24-18 in Cardiff in December and have won eight of the nine Tests played in Australia.

Australia: A Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs); C Vuna (Melbourne Rebels) (Brumbies), R Horne (NSW Waratahs), P McCabe (Brumbies), D Ioane (Queensland Reds); B Barnes (NSW Waratahs), W Genia (Queensland Reds); B Robinson (NSW Waratahs), T Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs), S Kepu (NSW Waratahs), R Simmons (Queensland Reds), N Sharpe (Western Force), S Higginbotham (Queensland Reds), D Pocock (captain, Western Force), W Palu (NSW Waratahs).

Replacements: S Moore (Brumbies), B Alexander (Brumbies), D Dennis (NSW Waratahs), M Hooper (Brumbies), N White (Brumbies), A Fainga’a (Queensland Reds), M Harris (Queensland Reds).

You can follow the game live by logging onto: www.wru.co.uk/live

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