Props Tom Robertson and Sekope Kepu have paid the price for Australia’s poorly performing scrum by being dropped to the bench for the second Bledisloe Cup-Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.
Regular first-choice loosehead prop Scott Sio, who was injured and missed last week’s 38-13 loss to the All Blacks, returns to the starting side in place of Robertson.
Kepu, who has won 95 caps for the Wallabies but was regularly twisted or shunted backwards by Joe Moody last week, has been replaced by Allan Alaalatoa.
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Hooker Folau Faingaa is also expected to make his debut off the bench after he replaced Tolu Latu, whose wayward lineout throwing against the All Blacks contributed to an all-round terrible set-piece for the Wallabies in Sydney.
Outside back Tom Banks could also make his Test debut from the bench, with last week’s debutant Jack Maddocks promoted to the starting lineup.
Maddocks, the scorer of the Wallabies only try last week, has taken the No 14 jersey from Haylett-Petty, who has moved to fullback to replace the injured Israel Folau.
Folau injured his ankle in the match in Sydney and his absence could be sorely felt by the Wallabies, who often rely on the fullback as their major attacking threat.
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In the women’s team, centre Sarah Riordan’s return from injury is the only change to the Wallaroos as they attempt to improve on their heartening effort against world champions New Zealand.
Riordan missed the 31-11 first Test loss in Sydney after suffering an ankle injury at training but was named on Thursday for Saturday’s return Test – the first match of the double-header in Auckland.
Coach Dwayne Nestor wasn’t tempted to make other changes after the Wallaroos showed the benefits of increased backing for women’s rugby in Australia with a competitive showing at ANZ Stadium last weekend.
“We’re really looking forward to this second Test and we know that the Black Ferns are going to lift at home,” said Nestor. “We had a good review of the opportunities we didn’t take out there last week and we know we can improve on our performance.
“Sarah’s return from injury has been well received by the squad, she’s a popular, talented player and will combine well with Atasi Lafai and Samantha Treherne.”
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The Black Ferns have named an unchanged team as they aim to extend a 16-match winning streak against Australia, who have never beaten their trans-Tasman rivals.
Wallabies: 15-Dane Haylett-Petty, 14-Jack Maddocks, 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-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio. Reserves: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Sekope Kepu, 19-Rob Simmons, 20-Pete Samu, 21-Nick Phipps, 22-Matt Toomua, 23-Tom Banks.
Wallaroos: Mahalia Murphy, Mhicca Carter, Atasi Lafai, Sarah Riordan, Samantha Treherne, Trilleen Pomare, Cobie-jane Morgan, Grace Hamilton, Georgia O’Neill, Emily Chancellor, Rebecca Clough, Michelle Milward, Evelyn Horomia, Liz Patu (captain), Emily Robinson. Reserves: Darryl Wickliffe, Melissa Fatu, Hana Ngaha, Alisha Hewett, Kiri Lingman, Fenella Hake, Crystal Maguire, Shanice Parker.