Wallabies announce team for first Bledisloe Cup test of 2019

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has announced another backline re-shuffle that puts re-called bad boy James O’Connor right in the firing line.

The Wallabies have rolled the dice with former bad boy James O’Connor as they look to fire their attack against the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship clash in Perth on Saturday.

In his first start in six years O’Connor has been selected to play outside centre for the clash, which doubles as a Bledisloe Cup Test, in one of four changes to the side that beat Argentina last month in Brisbane.

The Wallabies have struggled to convert dominant possession and opportunities into points in their past two Tests against South Africa and the Pumas, with coach Michael Cheika deciding to bring another ball-player into his backline to replace outside centre Tevita Kuridrani.

Now 29, Connor became the second youngest Wallaby in Australian rugby history at age 18, but his promising career went off track after alcohol and drug indiscretions.

Rugby commentators declared it a huge roll of the dice from Cheika, so close to the World Cup.

The Daily Telegraph’s Jamie Panadaram described the move to have O’Connor and Samu Kerevi switch roles throughout the game as massive “gamble”.

That’s called the deep end. O’Connor did play at 13 off the bench v Argies in Brisbane and has played mostly midfield in UK. https://t.co/sJ5hcQmgri

— Iain Payten (@iainpayten) August 8, 2019

O’Connor isn’t the only selection gamble by Cheika as he looks to bed down his World Cup squad with just three Tests to play before their opening World Cup match.

They are also desperate to win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002. Nic White, who was solid in their loss to the Springboks, has relegated veteran halfback Will Genia to the bench.

He will partner Christian Lealiifano, who will retain the No. 10 jersey ahead of Bernard Foley.

Brumbies tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa has been rushed back into the starting team after overcoming a foot injury and will bolster the front-row against Owen Franks, Codie Taylor and Joe Moody, who led the Crusaders to the Super Rugby title.

Alaalatoa is joined in the front-row by Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu with Folau Fainga’a shifting to the reserves.

No pressure.

As expected, Wallabies weapon David Pocock overlooked after failing to prove his fitness this week.

The decision to rest Pocock from the crucial test came after Wallabies legend George Gregan publicly called for Cheika to take a gamble on the star forward.

Gregan, now a Wallabies consultant coach, said Pocock should be given a test cap next week when the Aussies face the daunting prospect of trying to defeat the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Restricted to three games for the Brumbies this season, Pocock retired from Super Rugby in March after suffering a rare calf injury during a Wallabies training camp in January.

But the reigning John Eales Medallist has been back doing full-contact sessions with the Wallabies in Perth, placing the world champion All Blacks on guard.

While Pocock has been overlooked for this weekend’s series opener at Optus Stadium, Gregan would love to see the Wallabies’ deadliest weapon in action in Bledisloe II in Auckland.

“He’s got to get through a week of full-on running and training and, once he does that, I think he’s not too far away. Then they’ll say he’s ready to play a Test match,” Gregan said.

“So he went from not being able to run — they had a lot of issues with that calf — but he’s almost close to completing a full week of training and I think if he could do that, then why not throw him in?”

WALLABIES (15-1): Kurtley Beale, Reece Hodge, James O’Connor, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Christian Lealiifano, Nic White, Isi Naisarani, Michael Hooper (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa, Tolu Latu, Scott Sio

Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Adam Coleman, Luke Jones, Will Genia, Matt To’omua, Tom Banks