Here’s the XV that Robbie Deans has picked to face our lads in Brisbane on Saturday.
There will be three debutants in the famous gold shirts that run out to face the Lions on Saturday morning in Brisbane. Winger Israel Folau, centre Christian Leali’ifano and flanker Ben Mowen make their first ever start in the most intense game possible, the first Test match of the 2013 Lions tour.
Controversial figure Kurtley Beale starts on the bench while James O’Connor is fit to start at 10. The Wallaby backs look particularly formidable with Berrick Barnes at full back, Digby Ione on the other wing, Adam Ashley-Cooper as the other centre while Will Genia will be the scrum half. That’s a very exciting bunch of players.
In the pack, Michael Hooper is the man tasked with replacing the injured David Pocock while lock James Horwill captains the side.
All we need to know know is who Warren Gatland has picked. Then we can really start to look forward to the game.
Australia team: Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs); Israel Folau (NSW), Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW), Christian Leali’ifano (ACT Brumbies), Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds); James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Will Genia (Reds); Benn Robinson (NSW), Stephen Moore (ACT), Ben Alexander (ACT), James Horwill (Reds – capt), Kane Douglas (NSW), Ben Mowen (ACT), Michael Hooper (NSW), Wycliff Palu (NSW).
Replacements: Saia Fainga’a (Reds), James Slipper (Reds), S Kepu (NSW), Rob Simmons (Reds), Liam Gill (Reds) Nick Phipps (Rebels), Pat McCabe (ACT), Kurtley Beale (Rebels).
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