SYDNEY – Australia have been hit by another late injury blow ahead of their Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Brisbane later on Saturday, with fullback Israel Folau ruled out with an ankle injury.
Folau suffered the injury in the opening Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand three weeks ago, and missed the return game in Auckland the following week.
He appeared to have recovered in time to face the Springboks, but becomes the second withdrawal from the side named by coach Michael Cheika on Thursday – after loose forward David Pocock was ruled out with a neck injury.
Cheika has moved Dane Haylett-Petty from the right wing to fullback for the clash at Suncorp Stadium, with Jack Maddocks promoted from the bench to start in the No 14 jersey.
Tom Banks has come on to the bench and is likely to earn his second Test cap against a Bok side that suffered a 32-19 loss to Argentina two weeks ago in Mendoza.
The Wallabies are bottom of the southern hemisphere championship after losing their first two games to the All Blacks.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Izzy! https://t.co/buBYMmQycU
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) September 8, 2018
Teams at Suncorp Stadium
Australia:
15 Dane Haylett-Petty 14 Jack Maddocks 13 Reece Hodge 12 Matt Toomua 11 Marika Koroibete 10 Kurtley Beale 9 Will Genia 8 Pete Samu 7 Michael Hooper (captain) 6 Lukhan Tui 5 Adam Coleman 4 Rory Arnold 3 Allan Alaalatoa 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 1 Scott Sio.
Bench:16 Folau Faingaa 17 Tom Robertson 18 Taniela Tupou 19 Izack Rodda 20 Ned Hanigan 21 Joe Powell 22 Bernard Foley 23 Tom Banks.
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux 14 Makazole Mapimpi 13 Jesse Kriel 12 Damian de Allende 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi 10 Elton Jantjies 9 Faf de Klerk 8 Warren Whiteley 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit 6 Siya Kolisi (captain) 5 Franco Mostert 4 Eben Etzebeth 3 Frans Malherbe 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Bench:16 Malcolm Marx 17 Tendai Mtawarira 18 Wilco Louw 19 RG Snyman 20 Francois Louw 21 Embrose Papier 22 Handré Pollard 23 Cheslin Kolbe.