David Pocock in surprise move to No 6 as Australia name team to face Wales
Thursday 3 November 2016 14:30, UK
David Pocock will make his first start at blindside flanker when Australia face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday at the start of a gruelling six-match autumn tour.
With Dean Mumm out because of a one-week suspension, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has opted to shift Pocock into the No 6 jersey for the first time in his 61-Test career.
It will be the flanker's first Test start since breaking his hand in the 36-20 win over Argentina on September 17.
Tevita Kuridrani joins Pocock as the only other change to the starting XV with the Brumbies centre earning the No 13 jersey in the absence of Samu Kerevi.
Kuridrani will partner Reece Hodge in the centres, as the sixth different midfield partnership for the Wallabies in 2016.
Uncapped Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu was named on the replacements bench, hoping to become the Wallabies' 12th debutant of 2016.
James Slipper and Scott Fardy are the other new inclusions on the bench, with the Queensland Reds prop recalled for his first Test since October 1.
After the Cardiff clash Australia face Tests against Scotland, France, Ireland and England, plus a midweek match with the French Barbarians.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau; 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Henry Speight; 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Rory Arnold; 5 Adam Coleman, 6 David Pocock; 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Lopeti Timani.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Scott Fardy, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Sefa Naivalu.
