There’s 11 modifications to the beginning aspect, two debutants and a brand new captain, however Dave Rennie believes his aspect is “strong” sufficient to beat the specter of a boilover from the Azzurri.
The Wallabies have by no means misplaced to Italy however they may face a stern take a look at after they tackle Kieran Crowley’s Italian aspect in Florence on Sunday (12am AEDT).
“We’re conscious of the fact that it’s a good Italian side,” Rennie instructed reporters on Thursday.
“I know Kieran Crowley well, and they’ve made really good shifts in the last 12 months.
“And so we picked a side that we think is strong, fresh so there’s no plan to throw guys into the game early. We’ll judge it as we see it.”
As earmarked, Rennie has one eye on subsequent week’s crunch Test towards Ireland and has opted to not danger a lot of gamers with niggles.
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With Rugby Australia on a money-making tour by taking part in 5 Tests, two of which fall outdoors the worldwide window, Rennie additionally believes it’s bodily unsustainable to position his greatest aspect out for 5 straight weeks.
As such, lock Nick Frost, centre Len Ikitau, winger Tom Wright and fullback Jock Campbell are the one gamers to have retained their positions for the Wallabies’ third match on tour.
First-choice prop Allan Alaalatoa returns from damage and can captain the aspect with loose-head teammate James Slipper rested.
Asked whether or not Alaalatoa was a critical contender to captain the Wallabies long-term, Rennie was non-committal however mentioned the 28-year-old was extremely revered inside the group.
“He’s certainly got massive respect,” Rennie mentioned.
“His attention to detail, his work ethic.
“He obviously captains the Brumbies, and we’ve chosen him for that reason.
“He’s our best option and what happens long-term who knows, but he could definitely skipper Australia long-term.”
Alaalatoa kinds a model new front-row mixture alongside Folau Fainga’a and Matt Gibbon, who begins for the primary time after 4 Tests off the bench.
As reported, Will Skelton has been promoted and kinds an attention-grabbing second-row pair alongside Frost.
It’s a model new back-row trio, with Ned Hanigan, who has improved his physicality out of sight lately, beginning at blindside flanker alongside Fraser McReight and Pete Samu who’ve frolicked within the No.7 jersey all through the Rugby Championship. Michael Hooper, Jed Holloway and Rob Valetini have all been rested.
Jake Gordon begins at halfback as Rennie’s obsession with rotating his halfbacks continues and he begins alongside Noah Lolesio, who has a career-defining match towards Italy.
The jury remains to be out on Lolesio and the weekend’s Test shapes a make-or-break second for his World Cup probabilities.
In the backline, Hunter Paisami and Ikitau kind an skilled midfield mixture whereas Waratahs flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his debut on the right-wing alongside Campbell and Wright.
Nawaqanitawase has come from the clouds this season.
He was ranked because the Waratahs’ sixth greatest winger in the beginning of the yr and missed choice of their remaining trial match.
But after making large shifts defensively and placing some measurement on he has turn into a World Cup bolter virtually in a single day and provides measurement, aerial means and ending class to the Wallabies.
“He’s had a helluva season,” Rennie mentioned.
“(He was) excellent for Australia A, both in Fiji and in Japan.
“He’s a big man. aerially outstanding going forward and under a high ball, his ability to beat defenders.
“He’s made big shifts defensively, he’s got post tackle presence, kicks the ball well.
“He’s a big man. Generally we’ve got a pretty small backline, so it gives us a point of difference.”
Prop Tom Robertson, 28, is the oldest participant on the Wallabies’ bench and he’s joined by the large presence of Taniela Tupou and hooker Lachlan Lonergan.
Darcy Swain returns from suspension whereas one-Test back-rower Langi Gleeson can also be on the bench.
The Wallabies’ backline replacements are filled with tempo and pleasure, with halfback Tate McDermott returning.
Waratahs playmaker Ben Donaldson, who can also be able to taking part in fullback, is in-line to make his debut whereas utility Jordan Petaia returns from damage.
While Rennie admitted he had been pressured into extra modifications than “initially anticipated”, he mentioned he was assured the Wallabies had sufficient depth to make sure they didn’t slip up.
“Well, every game is a challenge over here,” he mentioned. “We knew that.
“We’re playing five Tests, which no one else is doing.
“You can’t churn out the same side five weeks in a row and expect to be at our best late in the tour.
“We’ve got confidence in the group.
“We’ve got really good depth and when you look at the team, it’s a good side. We expect the team to front.”
WALLABIES vs ITALY at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence. Kick-off: 12am, Sunday 13 Nov.
1. Matt Gibbon (4 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (35 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) (61 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (7 Tests)
5. Will Skelton (22 Tests)
6. Ned Hanigan (26 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (8 Tests)
8. Pete Samu (30 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon (17 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (15 Tests)
11. Tom Wright (20 Tests)
12. Hunter Paisami (22 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (23 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase*
15. Jock Campbell (2 Tests)
Replacements
16. Lachlan Lonergan (6 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (28 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (45 Tests)
19. Darcy Swain (16 Tests)
20. Langi Gleeson (1 Test)
21. Tate McDermott (19 Tests)
22. Ben Donaldson*
23. Jordan Petaia (22 Tests)
*denotes uncapped