Australia include Sean McMahon for Rugby Championship clash with South Africa
Thursday 29 September 2016 13:26, UK
Australia head coach Michael Cheika has made just one change to his starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship game against South Africa in Pretoria.
Cheika, whose side beat Argentina 36-20 in Perth last time out, has drafted in Sean McMahon to replace David Pocock, who is absent with a broken hand, at No 8.
McMahon, 22, plays primarily as a flanker for the Rebels but did start two games for the Wallabies at the back of the scrum against England during the summer.
"It's nice for us to be able to add a strong ball carrier into the back row," Cheika said. "Sean is maybe not as tall as your traditional eight, but he's starting to get some of the qualities that a traditional eight has - ball carries, a strong tackle, which Poey's got as well."
Fiji-born winger Sefanaia Naivalu has been named on an extended replacements' bench after recently becoming eligible to play for Australia.
Kane Douglas is also back on the bench after being dropped against the Pumas, with Rory Arnold making way for him.
James Hanson returns after being named as hooker Stephen Moore's back-up after Tatafu Polota-Nau was ruled out with a broken arm, while Scott Fardy is also among the replacement options following McMahon's promotion.
Australia head to Pretoria seeking their first victory at Loftus Versfeld, having lost on their previous six visits.
The Rugby Championship
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Bernard Foley, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia; 1 Scott Sio. 2 Stephen Moore (c), 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Adam Coleman, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Dean Mumm, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Sean McMahon,
Replacements (one to be omitted): James Hanson, James Slipper, Tom Robertson, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Lopeti Timani, Nick Phipps, Tevita Kuridrani, Sefa Naivalu.
