Christian Leali'ifano will cap an extraordinary comeback with his first Test start in five years against Argentina in Brisbane on Saturday.
Leali'ifano has been handed the playmaking reins over incumbent No.10 Bernard Foley for the Wallabies' second Rugby Championship Test at Suncorp Stadium.
Christian Leali'ifano's commanding Super Rugby form booked him a starting spot against Argentina.Credit:Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley
He has been named at five-eighth in partnership with halfback Will Genia, who got the nod over Nic White.
Kurtley Beale has also been handed a start in coach Michael Cheika's team named on Thursday morning, replacing Tom Banks at fullback as selectors continue to mix and match combinations as the World Cup bears down.
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They are among five changes Cheika has made to his starting 15 along with a further five to his reserves.
Scott Sio is the only change to the forward pack as the 55-Test veteran returns from a hamstring injury that forced him out of last weekends Test defeat in South Africa.
Genia, Leali'ifano, Marika Koroibete and Beale all start in a new-look backline. Saturdays clash will be a memorable occasion for Genia, with the halfback set to play his last-ever game at Suncorp Stadium following his decision to retire from Test Rugby at the end of 2019.
Suncorp Stadium has proved a happy hunting ground for the wily No.9, who currently boasts 10 wins from his 12 games for Australia at the venue.
Its also a homecoming for utility James OConnor who is set to play his first Test in almost six years after being named amongst the reserves. OConnor signed for the Queensland Reds last week but missed selection for the Test against South Africa.
Australia will play four more Tests before their campaign gets underway with a game against Fiji on September 21.
Saturday will be a big moment for Leali'ifano, 31, who was left out of Cheika's 2015 World Cup squad and went headlong into a battle with leukaemia less than 12 months later. He was told he may never play rugby again.
The Brumbies playmaker made a surprise Super Rugby comeback in 2017 and has recaptured his best form this year, leading the Canberra side into week two of the Super Rugby play-offs and commanding selection in Cheika's Test squad.
He hasn't plaRead More – Source
Christian Leali'ifano will cap an extraordinary comeback with his first Test start in five years against Argentina in Brisbane on Saturday.
Leali'ifano has been handed the playmaking reins over incumbent No.10 Bernard Foley for the Wallabies' second Rugby Championship Test at Suncorp Stadium.
Christian Leali'ifano's commanding Super Rugby form booked him a starting spot against Argentina.Credit:Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley
He has been named at five-eighth in partnership with halfback Will Genia, who got the nod over Nic White.
Kurtley Beale has also been handed a start in coach Michael Cheika's team named on Thursday morning, replacing Tom Banks at fullback as selectors continue to mix and match combinations as the World Cup bears down.
Advertisement
They are among five changes Cheika has made to his starting 15 along with a further five to his reserves.
Scott Sio is the only change to the forward pack as the 55-Test veteran returns from a hamstring injury that forced him out of last weekends Test defeat in South Africa.
Genia, Leali'ifano, Marika Koroibete and Beale all start in a new-look backline. Saturdays clash will be a memorable occasion for Genia, with the halfback set to play his last-ever game at Suncorp Stadium following his decision to retire from Test Rugby at the end of 2019.
Suncorp Stadium has proved a happy hunting ground for the wily No.9, who currently boasts 10 wins from his 12 games for Australia at the venue.
Its also a homecoming for utility James OConnor who is set to play his first Test in almost six years after being named amongst the reserves. OConnor signed for the Queensland Reds last week but missed selection for the Test against South Africa.
Australia will play four more Tests before their campaign gets underway with a game against Fiji on September 21.
Saturday will be a big moment for Leali'ifano, 31, who was left out of Cheika's 2015 World Cup squad and went headlong into a battle with leukaemia less than 12 months later. He was told he may never play rugby again.
The Brumbies playmaker made a surprise Super Rugby comeback in 2017 and has recaptured his best form this year, leading the Canberra side into week two of the Super Rugby play-offs and commanding selection in Cheika's Test squad.
He hasn't plaRead More – Source
