Skip to content

Lukhan Tui strengthens Australia lineout for third Ireland Test

Lukhan Tui comes in at blindside flanker
Image: Lukhan Tui comes in at blindside flanker

Australia have bolstered their lineout by selecting Lukhan Tui at blindside flanker for the series-deciding third Test against Ireland in Sydney on Saturday.

David Pocock shifts from the No 6 jersey back to No 8 to accommodate Tui, who has played three of his six Tests at lock, with Caleb Timu dropping out of the 23-man matchday squad altogether.

Live International Rugby Union

Captain Michael Hooper remains as openside flanker.

Lock Adam Coleman has also been retained despite being forced off last week by a head clash with team-mate Israel Folau which Michael Cheika initially thought had resulted in a fractured cheekbone or eye socket.

Blindside flanker Ned Hanigan has been brought back into the replacements bench after recovering from a knee injury, with Pete Samu also providing cover in the loose forwards.

Nick Phipps has been promoted from the bench to replace the injured Will Genia, who broke his right arm in last week's 26-21 loss in Melbourne.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Australia captain Michael Hooper says his side are 'extremely excited' ahead of their series decider against Ireland on Saturday

Brumbies scrum-half Joe Powell has come onto the bench for Cheika's side, which has been relatively settled during the series as the coach looks to gel some combinations ahead of next year's World Cup in Japan.

Also See:

Cheika had selected an unchanged side for the second Test and made only two changes, one of which was enforced with Genia's injury, for the decider in Sydney.

Several underperforming players may be getting an opportunity to show the coach they should remain in his plans.

Rookie hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa has had issues finding his jumpers in the lineout while centre Samu Kerevi has barely had any impact in either of the first two Tests.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 Lukhan Tui, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 8 David Pocock

Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Joe Powell, 23 Reece Hodge

Around Sky