David Pocock

Israel Folau

Key players David Pocock and Israel Folau handed Australia a double blow on Friday.

Both failed to prove their fitness and will miss the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal with Scotland on Sunday.

David Pocock, whose conversion to No 8, from openside flank, has been a roaring success, has been struggling with a calf injury suffered during the 15 / 6 Pool A victory over Wales last Saturday.

Fullback Israel Folau struggled through the Wales game with a painful ankle, a knock he had picked up in the 33 / 13 whipping of hosts England a fortnight ago, and the injury sees him miss his 1st Test for the Wallabies since he made his debut in 2013.

Pocock has been replaced by Ben McCalman, with Kurtley Beale coming in at fullback for Folau.

Meanwhile Stephen Moore and Matt Giteau will become the newest Wallabies centurions.

They have both been named to play their 100th Tests against Scotland.

The pair will become the 7th and 8th 100-capped Wallabies, joining George Gregan (139), Nathan Sharpe (116), George Smith (111), Stephen Larkham (102), David Campese (101) and current teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper (111).

Stephen Moore will captain the side in his milestone game, while Matt Giteau has shaken off an injury concern to line up at inside centre.

Moore and Giteau will become just the 2nd pairing in history to earn their 100th Test cap for their country in the same match, after Italy’s Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni shared the same honour in a Test match against Fiji in 2013.

In another historic occasion for Australian Rugby, Adam Ashley-Cooper will become the 3rd-most capped Wallaby of all time in his 112th Test, overtaking flank George Smith.

After an industrious cameo against Wales, lock Rob Simmons returns to the starting side with Dean Mumm moving to the replacements bench.

Wallaby Coach Michael Cheika said the 100 caps for Giteau and Moore were significant milestones but the best thing the side could do to honour the veterans would be to qualify for a Rugby World Cup semifinal.

“Stephen and Matt are very highly respected members of our team before they ever reached 100 Tests mark but this landmark makes all of us in the team very proud,” he said.

“Every opportunity in the gold jersey is cherished and the 100th for these lads is a great opportunity for everyone to see how much they love playing for Australia.

“It is also a great chance for the lads playing against Scotland to improve their performance from our last game.

“As the tournament moves on we must continue to get better. That’s something we really want to do and believe we have in us.”

Wallabies: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (Captain), 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Sean McMahon, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Quade Cooper.

Date: Sunday 18 October
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-Off: 17:00 SA Time (16:00 UK Time, 15:00 GMT, Monday 02:00 AEDT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Pascal Gauzère (France)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

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