O'Connor set to start at No.13 for Wallabies against All Blacks
The Wallabies are set to unleash James O’Connor on the All Blacks from outside-centre, while Bernard Foley won’t wear the No.10 jersey once again, with Christian Lealiifano in line to get his second chance in the playmaker hot seat.
Australia do not name their team until Thursday but it is understood coach Michael Cheika is set to make a number of changes for the match at Perth on Saturday.
O’Connor’s selection at No.13 in place of Tevita Kuridrani is set to be the big talking point, with the Brumbies centre understood to have been left out of the matchday 23 altogether.
It caps a remarkable comeback for O’Connor, who played his first game since 2013 for the Wallabies two weeks ago in Brisbane, coming off the bench.
O’Connor has impressed those in the Wallabies set-up with his skill and defence, making his audition at No.13 a little left-field but understandable at the same time. He has never started for Australia in the centres from 45 Tests stretching back to 2008.
Samu Kerevi will link up with O’Connor in the midfield at No.12, with Reece Hodge and Marika Koroibete likely to feature on the wing.
Halfback Nic White is tipped to get the nod over Will Genia in the starters. White had an excellent performance in South Africa despite Australia’s loss, while Genia wore the No.9 jersey in Brisbane during Australia’s four-point win over Argentina.
The other interesting selection set to be unveiled on Thursday is that of Lealiifano, who after missing the Johannesburg Test through injury is set to get another chance from Brisbane against the world No.1 side.
Foley has now been out of the matchday 23 for two games in a row, suggesting that he may be out of favour with a three-man selection panel of Cheika, Scott Johnson and Michael O’Connor.
Foley has been a mainstay at No.10 since the World Cup but a favourable performance from Lealifano at Suncorp Stadium in his first Test for three might have put him ahead in the pecking order for good.
Meanwhile, Tolu Latu is set to replace Folau Faingaa at hooker in what is also a remarkable story given his on-field discipline issues as well his drink driving charge earlier this year that many believed had put his World Cup hopes in jeopardy.
The Wallabies have not won the Bledisloe Cup since 2002.