Tongan Thor has PE start
|Published
POWERHOUSE PROP: Taniela Tupou. Photo: Socials POWERHOUSE PROP: Taniela Tupou. Photo: Socials
Australia will unleash the “Tongan Thor” – prop Taniela Tupou – on South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (5.05pm).
Tupou earns his first Test start after making six appearances off the bench for the Wallabies.
Coach Michael Cheika says of the 22-year-old: “He can build the concentration from the very start and make sure he nails it all and obviously he’s got a lot of talent and only got six caps now.
“I thought it might be a good opportunity for him in what will be a pretty difficult atmosphere I imagine, and a good front row opposite for him to show what he has got.
“I believe in him a lot as a player and I’m sure he’ll do a very good job.”
Captain Michael Hooper returns to the side after a late withdrawal from Australia’s 23-19 home defeat by Argentina two weeks ago and is joined by Ned Hanigan in the back row.
Hooper’s return means Dave Pocock switches to No.8 for the showdown.
Adam Coleman returns to the starting XV at lock after coming off the bench against Argentina on the Gold Coast.
Australia:
15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Izack Rodda, 4 Adam Coleman, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio. Replacements: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 Rob Simmons, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Jack Maddocks.