| Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground Date: Saturday, 16 July Kick-off: 10:55 BST |
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Wallabies winger Suliasi Vivalu said that Australia will “shut the Pommies down” when they take on England in Saturday’s third Test.
After overcoming injuries, the former rugby league star will make his long-awaited debut as a bench player.
Australia made four improvements to the side beaten 25-17 England won the series at Brisbane last week.
Recalled full back Reece Hodge will start, along with prop James Slipper and lock Nick Frost. Harry Wilson will be a flanker.
Vunivalu is not the only replacement, but he hopes that his side will have “intensity from the beginning”.
He said, “We’ve been lacking that with Wallabies our first 20 minutes. So if we can get that up and shut down the Pommies, we’ll be a good job.”
Fijian-born Vunivalu, who was born in Fiji, switched to Queensland Reds after a successful league career as a player with Melbourne Storm. In 2019, he was called up by coach Dave Rennie to join the Australia squad. Rennie noted his “massive talent”.
Rennie quit Hodge after a poor performance, but has since turned to Rennie, a versatile 27-year old following injuries to Jordan Petaia (Tom Banks) and Andrew Kellaway.
Wilson, who has not played for his country since last July’s match against France, returns to the blindside flanker position.
Rennie stated that Rennie and Harry were both excited to wear Wallaby gold and had trained hard.
Rennie stated, “We know we are a far better team than the one we played in Brisbane. We have had a week of preparation that will allow us put in a performance on Saturday night that makes Australians proud.”
Australia
Reece Hodge; Tom Wright; Hunter Paisami; Marika Koroibete, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio and Nic White; Rob Valetini (capt), Michael Hooper (capt), Harry Wilson. Nick Frost. Taniela Tinou, David Porecki. James Slipper
Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Len Ikitau, Suliasi Vunivalu