Halfback Nick Phipps and blindside flanker Lukhan Tui have won starts for the Wallabies’ series-deciding Test against Ireland in Sydney. Phipps replaces the injured Will Genia, while Tui’s promotion has forced David Pocock to move to No 8 for Saturday night’s showdown at Allianz Stadium.
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Tui will make his first run-on appearance in the gold jumper after starting from the bench in his previous six internationals. Phipps, a 64-Test stalwart, brings a wealth of experience and will lean on his NSW Waratahs backline combination with Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau.
Joe Powell will aim to add to his three Test caps after being named on a six-two bench as reserve halfback, along with 2017 Wallabies rookie of the year Ned Hanigan, who returns from injury.
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The series is locked at 1-1 after Ireland’s 26-21 win over Australia last Saturday in Melbourne and the Wallabies’ 18-9 triumph the week before in Brisbane. The series is the first three-match tussle between the two nations despite having played each other in 34 Tests over 90 years.
Australia and Ireland last faced off in Sydney in 1994, when the Wallabies won 32-18 at the SCG.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Tui, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Sekope Kepu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Scott Sio. Reserves: Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan, Pete Samu, Joe Powell, Reece Hodge.