James Slipper to captain Australia against the United States
Wednesday 9 September 2015 10:19, UK
James Slipper will become the first prop to captain Australia in almost 40 years when he fills in for Stephen Moore in this weekend's World Cup warm-up Test against the United States in Chicago.
Slipper, who has 67 caps, was promoted when Moore, regular vice-captains Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper, and seasoned veterans David Pocock and Will Genia were rested from the starting lineup for Saturday's match at Soldier Field.
Australia coach Michael Cheika is experimenting with his lineup, with back-rower Ben McCalman and inside centre Matt Giteau named as vice-captains after returning to the starting XV.
Forwards Tatafu Polota-Nau, Kane Douglas and Sean McMahon and backs Joe Tomane and Kurtley Beale have been selected for their first starting appearances of the season, while uncapped prop Toby Smith and winger Taqele Naiyaravoro are on the bench.
"This is a really important match for us as a group, especially with a couple of boys making their debuts," Slipper said.
"We want to put in a performance that shows how hard we've been working over the past few months before we head over to the World Cup.
The two-time World Cup winners won the Rugby Championship title this season with victories over South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina, but enter the one-off Test against the US following a heavy loss to the All Blacks in Auckland, New Zealand.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Henry Speight, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps; 1 James Slipper (c), 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3 Greg Holmes, 4 Kane Douglas, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Ben McCalman, 7 Sean McMahon, 8 Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Toby Smith, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Sam Carter, 21 Quade Cooper, 22 Will Genia, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
