Brumbies hit six-year low for Wallabies in Bledisloe Cup clash
The ACT Brumbies will have their lowest Bledisloe Cup representation in six years after the Wallabies snubbed Canberra players for the clash against New Zealand on Saturday night.
David Pocock will be the only Brumby in the starting side, while Allan Alaalatoa and Pete Samu are on the bench.
It will be the fewest Brumbies in a trans-Tasman Test since Robbie Deans was coach in 2012 and continues a declining trend of ACT players in the national side in the past two years.
Injuries have contributed to the low number. Tevita Kuridrani tore his pectoral muscle in the last game of the Super Rugby season, Scott Sio is still nursing a shoulder problem and Henry Speight has signed a short-term deal in Ireland.
The Brumbies and the Queensland Reds will have three players in the game-day squad for the massive match against the All Blacks as the Wallabies aim to snap a Bledisloe Cup drought.
The NSW Waratahs - Australia's best-performed team this year - will have nine representatives, the Melbourne Rebels have seven and Tatafu Polota-Nau has returned from the United Kingdom to bolster the front row.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has a settled side heading into the biggest home match of the year, with captain Michael Hooper set to join Pocock in a potent back row that also features Lukhan Tui at No.6.
Prop Sio has been ruled out of the match altogether with a shoulder complaint, giving Robertson a chance to shine in the No.1 jersey in what will be just his third start in international rugby.
Despite not having a whole lot of game-time under his belt, Polota-Nau will be the Wallabies’ starting rake, with Tolu Latu also edging out Brandon Paenga-Amosa for a bench spot.
There were no selection surprises in the back line, with Hodge set to play outside-centre for the first time in his Test career in what will be a major challenge for the 23-year-old up against the All Blacks midfield of Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue.
Cheika has picked a 5-3 split on the bench, with Nick Phipps, returning Wallaby Matt Toomua and potential debutant Maddocks the spare backs.
Wallabies team to face All Blacks in Bledisloe opener
1.Tom Robertson (21 Tests)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (82 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (94 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (7 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (23 Tests)
6. Lukhan Tui (7 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (82 Tests)
8. David Pocock (69 Tests)
9. Will Genia (90 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (58 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (11 Tests)
12. Kurtley Beale (74 Tests)
13. Reece Hodge (27 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (21 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (65 Tests)
Bench
16. Tolu Latu (7 Tests)
17. Allan Alaalatoa (23 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (4 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (85 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (3 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (64 Tests)
22. Matt Toomua (33 Tests)
23. Jack Maddocks* (denotes uncapped)