Bad Boy Quade Cooper

The Wallabies have recalled Quade Cooper and rested David Pocock – ditching their successful twin openside flank weapon.

This is amongst 6 changes made to the side to face the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.

After beating New Zealand last week in Sydney, to claim the Rugby Championship, the Wallabies are now aiming to win the Bledisloe Cup for the 1st time in 13 years and end a 39-year losing streak at Eden Park.

But with 1 eye on the bigger prize of the Rugby World Cup, starting in England next month, coach Michael Cheika has put last week’s 27 / 19 victory behind him and made wholesale changes to test the depth of his squad.

“We know this week will be another huge challenge for the team and our biggest test to date, and we need to improve again on what we’ve produced in our previous matches,” Cheika said.

Playmaker Cooper comes back into the starting line-up for his 55th Test on a ground where the New Zealand-born flyhalf has been seen as the arch-villain ever since he kneed All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in a Test 4 years ago.

Cooper teams up with inside centre Matt Toomua to replace Bernard Foley and Matt Giteau, outside new starting scrumhalf Nic White.

Master marauder Pocock, who formed a formidable pairing with Michael Hooper in the loose last week, drops back to the replacement bench to make way for Wycliff Palu.

Will Skelton will start at lock, switching places with Dean Mumm, and Henry Speight comes in for veteran wing Drew Mitchell.

When Pocock, who made his debut in 2008, takes to the field it will be his 50th Test – with Cheika praising the loose forward for the way he has bounced back after missing the past 2 international seasons through injury.

“David has had to overcome some hurdles with regards to injury to reach this milestone, but the way in which he’s got there through perseverance and a lot of hard work and patience is a great measure of his character,” Cheika said.

“He has been 1 of our best players this season, and the respect he commands from his teammates and peers is a testament to the way he approaches the game.

“He knows that he will play a pivotal part in closing the match on Saturday, and I expect he will put in a performance that all of Australia will be proud of.

“Wycliff, Henry and Kane have all worked hard for this opportunity and have brought a lot of energy to the group this week.”

Wallabies: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Will Skelton, 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 Kane Douglas, 21 David Pocock, 22 Matt Giteau, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Date: Saturday 15 August
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-Off: 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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