Michael Cheika signals spring tour intentions with Karmichael Hunt replacing Israel Folau at fullback

KARMICHAEL Hunt has been given the Wallabies’ fullback role against the Barbarians in a clear sign the former NRL and AFL star will start there during the spring tour.

Karmichael Hunt has been named at fullback for the Barbarians clash.

MICHAEL Cheika will replace one triple-code star with another at fullback for the spring tour, giving Karmichael Hunt first crack at Israel Folau’s No.15 jersey starting Saturday against the Barbarians.

With Folau on sabbatical after this match, Cheika has shifted him to the left wing to accommodate Hunt, who like his teammate has also starred in the NRL and AFL before switching to rugby.

The Wallabies leave for their spring tour to Japan and the United Kingdom next week and Hunt will get his chance to impress at the back in preparation for playing at fullback in key games against Wales, England and Scotland on the northern tour.

Karmichael Hunt has been named at fullback for the Barbarians clash.

“He’s got the inside running, hasn’t he?” Cheika said.

“This is a chance for him and he knows the sort of role he needs to play there.

“It will be a little bit different to Israel’s role and there will be some different things he will do but all in all I think from June he merits the opportunity to have a first crack at it, even though it may not be in the position that he played in June.”

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Hunt played three Tests at inside centre in June before injury ruled him out of the entire Rugby Championship.

In other developments for this non-Test fixture against Alan Jones’ invitational side, Ben McCalman makes his long-awaited return to the Australian team off the bench, while veteran Nick Phipps will captain the Wallabies in absence of Michael Hooper.

Brumbies prop Ben Alexander is a late call-up for the Barbarians after the Crusaders refused to allow Michael Alaalatoa to play in the match, despite him staying in the team hotel in Double Bay and wanting a run against his younger brother Allan.

A fuming Jones admonished the Super Rugby champions for their stance, saying “the game is about the players”.

Lightning fast Izaia Perese will start on the other wing. Picture: Stuart Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au

WALLABIES

15. Karmichael Hunt 14. Henry Speight 13. Samu Kerevi (vice-captain) 12. Billy Meakes 11. Israel Folau 10. Duncan Paia’aua 9. Nick Phipps (captain) 8. Lopeti Timani 7. Jack Dempsey 6. Ned Hanigan 5. Lukhan Tui 4. Rory Arnold 3. Allan Alaalatoa (vice-captain) 2. Jordan Uelese 1. Tom Robertson.

Reserves: 16. Stephen Moore 17. Tetera Faulkner 18. Jermaine Ainsley 19. Kane Douglas 20. Ben McCalman 21. Joe Powell 22. Curtis Rona 23. Izaia Perese.

Ben McCalman returns from the wilderness.

BARBARIANS

15. Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs & Samoa) 14. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs & Australia) 13. Tom Banks (Brumbies) 12. George Moala (Blues & New Zealand) 11. Eto Nabuli (Reds & Australia) 10. Quade Cooper, captain (Reds & Australia) 9. Augustine Pulu (Blues & New Zealand) 8. Wycliff Palu (Toyota Verblitz & Australia) 7. Matt Hodgson, vice-captain (Force & Australia) 6. Isi Naisarani (Force) 5. Sam Carter (Brumbies & Australia) 4. Luke Jones (Bordeaux Begles & Australia) 3. Taniela Tupou (Reds) 2. Andrew Ready (Reds) 1. Pekahou Cowan (Force & Australia).

Reserves: 16 Anaru Rangi (Force) 17. Ben Alexander (Brumbies & Australia) 18. Salesi Manu (Bond) 19. Matt Philip (Force) 20. Kane Koteka (Force) 21. Theo Strang (Sydney University) 22. Sam Greene (Toyota Verblitz) 23. Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs).

24th man: Sam Ward (Warringah).

Wallabies vs. Barbarians

Saturday, 3pm

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

LIVE on FoxSports and Channel Ten

Originally published as Michael Cheika signals spring tour intentions with Karmichael Hunt replacing Israel Folau at fullback