Haylett-Petty to replace Folau as Robertson, Kepu, Latu demoted
Dane Haylett-Petty will fill Israel Folau’s void at fullback this weekend for the Wallabies’ must-win clash at Eden Park in a starting side that will feature two fresh props in Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa.
Coach Michael Cheika has punted NSW Waratahs props Tom Robertson and Sekope Kepu to the bench and left out Taniela Tupou for one more week as he overcomes a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.
The axe has come down hard on reserve hooker Tolu Latu, who has been left out of the match-day 23 altogether after a horrible showing on the weekend at lineout time.
Brumbies rake Folau Faingaa is now in line for a Test debut off the pine at one of the most daunting grounds in world rugby.
After scoring a try off the bench in Australia’s dismal 38-13 loss at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, Jack Maddocks will get his first start at international level on the wing.
Haylett-Petty’s move to No.15 to cover Folau's absence has handed Tom Banks a chance to make a Test debut off a 5-3 bench which once again features Nick Phipps and Matt Toomua.
Meanwhile, Cheika has resisted the urge to pick Rob Simmons in the starting XV, with Izack Rodda and Adam Coleman named in the second row under a mountain of pressure to perform better than they did in Sydney.
The Wallabies have not won a Test against the All Blacks in New Zealand for 17 years. The last time they came away with a victory was in Dunedin when they triumphed 23-15.
Wallabies team to face New Zealand
- Scott Sio (46 Tests)
- Tatafu Polota-Nau (83 Tests)
- Allan Alaalatoa (24 Tests)
- Izack Rodda (8 Tests)
- Adam Coleman (24 Tests)
- Lukhan Tui (8 Tests)
- Michael Hooper (c) (83 Tests)
- David Pocock (70 Tests)
- Will Genia (91 Tests)
- Bernard Foley (59 Tests)
- Marika Koroibete (12 Tests)
- Kurtley Beale (75 Tests)
- Reece Hodge (28 Tests)
- Jack Maddocks (1 Test)
- Dane Haylett-Petty (22 Tests)
Bench: Folau Faingaa (uncapped); Tom Robertson (22 Tests); Sekope Kepu (95 Tests); Rob Simmons (86 Tests); Pete Samu (4 Tests); Nick Phipps (65 Tests); Matt Toomua (34 Tests); Tom Banks (uncapped)