After impressing off the bench against world champions New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup a fortnight ago, Reece Hodge has been promoted to the starting side for the first time in his career.
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If selected, Melbourne Rebels back row Lopeti Timani is in line to become the eighth Wallabies debutant this year as Cheika looks to rebuild the team.
The Wallabies are on a sixmatch losing streak‚ dating back to last year’s World Cup final against the All Blacks.
He replaces winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has returned to his French club side Bordeaux.
In the New Zealand match, Hodge showed himself to be a competent long-range goal kicker, landing one from halfway.
South Africa are also in need of a morale boost in Brisbane, however, as they arrived in Queensland on the back of only a second ever test loss to Argentina in their last championship outing in Salta.
“I suppose it’s a bit of thing for us”, added Cheika.
But assistant coach Stephen Larkham expects Cooper to take his game to another level in Brisbane, where he hasn’t played since the Reds faced the Chiefs last June.
“It’s always a tough game against the Springboks, we knew that and they played well tonight, and we’re very happy to win”, said Aussie captain Stephen Moore, who was left bloodied in the second half.
The loss of 10 lineouts in their three most recent Test defeats to the All Blacks and England has put all the jumpers, and especially starting thrower Moore, under scrutiny.
Upfront, Cell C Sharks tighthead prop Lourens Adriaanse gets his first start in the Green and Gold.
“Those guys have been training exceptionally well and they certainly deserve their opportunity off the bench”.
“Francois covers two positions for us, on the wing and scrumhalf, and apart from that he has other good attributes”, Coetzee said.
“There’s a lot of ways to try and keep them out of the game but they’re also very clever players and they find ways to sneak into the rucks”, he said.
There were boos around the stadium with the Wallabies trailing 14-3, but they were soon silenced as a high pass from Will Genia picked out Coleman who went over in the corner.
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It will be Owens’ 14th appearance as referee in Test matches involving South Africa. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Nick Phipps, Tevita Kuridrani, Drew Mitchell (one to be omitted).
