Wallabies dump Caleb Timu for Lukhan Tui in Ireland series decider

Queensland forward Lukhan Tui has come into the Wallabies side for the deciding third Test at the expense of Caleb Timu.

Lukhan Tui will start for the Wallabies in their Test decider against Ireland. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

Powerhouse Queensland forward Lukhan Tui has come into the Wallabies side for the deciding third Test against Ireland at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, as Reds teammate Caleb Timu drops out of the match day 23 entirely.

Caleb Timu won’t feature in the third Test. Picture: AFP

In the other changes to the side defeated 26-21 by Ireland in Melbourne last weekend Nick Phipps has taken over from the injured Will Genia at halfback with Brumbies number nine Joe Powell moving onto the bench, while Timu’s spot effectively has been filled by Ned Hanigan who comes into the reserves.

Once again Michael Cheika has exploited Reece Hodge’s tremendous versatility to select a 6-2 bench — six forwards, two backs — which is a telling indication of how torrid he expects the battle up front to be.

Tui put in an impressive second half in Melbourne after being substituted for Timu at halftime and, by coming onto the side of the scrum, will allow David Pocock to match his jersey with his role by playing at number eight. Previously he had worn six — the blindside flanker’s number — but played as last man in the scrum.

Timu has had a sadly disappointing time of it in his two Tests so far. He found himself at blindside flanker in Brisbane and could not get into the game and when the same thing started happening in Melbourne he began to try too hard and, as a result, gave away three first half penalties. There is no question that he can have a big role to play for the Wallabies as a ball-runner and hopefully he will continue to be nursed through the early stages of his international career.

Taniela Tupou in action against Ireland. Picture: Getty Images

Taniela Tupou, the reserve tight-head had been held on the bench as he learns his craft but there is little doubt that he will see some action in the starting side sooner rather than later. He brings such raw power into the fray whenever he is called on that it must be tempting for Cheika to turn to him, even though starting tight-head Sekope Kepu is doing little wrong.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa has retained the hooking berth for the third Test in succession and clearly the lineout problems he was experiencing on debut in Brisbane were ironed out to some degree in Melbourne. Tolu Latu, who had looked a contender for the starting role at number two, again is on the bench.

Meanwhile, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has made five changes, creating a new-look forward pack.

Jack McGrath and Sean Cronin come into the front row ahead of Niall Scannell and Cian Healy, who will come off the bench. In the backrow, captain Peter O’Mahony has been named at openside flanker and CJ Stander shifts to blindside flanker to accommodate the inclusion of Jack Conan at No. 8.

In the backs Robbie Henshaw shifts to outside centre, Bundee Aki named ahead of Garry Ringrose at 12.

Wallabies v Ireland, Allianz Stadium, Saturday. Kick-off: 8.05pm AEST

Wallabies

1. Scott Sio (45 Tests)
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (2 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (93 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (6 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (22 Tests)
6. Lukhan Tui (6 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (81 Tests)
8. David Pocock (68 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (63 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (57 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (10 Tests)
12. Kurtley Beale (73 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (20 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (20 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (64 Tests)

Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (6 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (20 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (3 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (84 Tests)
20. Ned Hanigan (12 Tests)
21. Pete Samu (2 Tests)
22. Joe Powell (3 Tests)
23. Reece Hodge (26 Tests)

Ireland

1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. James Ryan
6. CJ Stander
7. Peter O’Mahony
8. Jack Conan
9. Conor Murray
10. Johnny Sexton
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Bundee Aki
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Keith Earls
15. Rob Kearney

Reserves
16. Niall Scannell
17. Cian Healy
18. John Ryan
19. Tadhg Beirne
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jordan Lamour