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ESPN staff
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has pulled a selection shock for the second Bledisloe Cup clash in Auckland, handing NSW Waratahs forward Ned Hanigan his first Test start since 2018.
Hanigan is joined in the starting side by Reds hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, the duo replacing Brumbies Pete Samu and Folau Fainga’a respectively, who have both been relegated from the matchday 23 altogether.
“We’ve got a group of 44-men who are all working hard and pushing for selection,” Rennie said via a press release.
“We’ve had massive support from back home and as a team we definitely feel that and it’s something we’ll draw on on Sunday afternoon.
We know that New Zealand will step it up another level this weekend, we’re excited by the challenge ahead.”
Paenga-Amosa’s promotion to the starting side isn’t totally unexpected given the Wallabies’ lineout struggles in Wellington where Fainga’a had battled to hit his targets in the swirling Sky Stadium wind.
But Samu’s axing, particularly for Hanigan, has seemingly come from left field. While Samu wasn’t one of the Wallabies standouts in Wellington, it was thought he had done enough to retain his position, certainly at least among the 23.
But Rennie has opted for the added physicality of Hanigan, with the impressive Harry Wilson switching to No. 8.
Hanigan spent much of the Super Rugby AU season at lock for the Waratahs after he was initially sidelined from Super Rugby earlier in the year through injury.
On the bench, Reds skipper Liam Wright and the breakout star of 2019, Jordan Petaia, are the new faces.
AUSTRALIA: Tom Banks, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Matt To’omua, Marika Koroibete, James O’Connor, Nic White; Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Matt Philip, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper.
Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Liam Wright, Jake Gordon, Jordan Petaia, Reece Hodge.