Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has discussed the Wallabies squad that will take on the All Blacks in game one of the Bledisloe Cup this Saturday at ANZ Stadium, and he couldn't be more confident with his selections.
Jack Maddocks, a Sydney University cricket star, has been named on the Wallabies bench and is potentially going to make his Australian debut in the toughest rugby Test possible.
Reece Hodge has also been named as outside centre after injuries struck down regular starters Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani.
Hodge has played 27 Tests for his country but has never donned the number 13 jersey and is sure to be targeted by the All Blacks' ominous attack.
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Prop Scott Sio was ruled out with shoulder issues and will be replaced in the starting side by Tom Robertson, who was selected alongside hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau who has returned from club duties over in England and will play his first Test in 2018.
The Wallabies are hoping to win their first Bledisloe Cup since 2002, and Cheika discussed why he chose this particular team to get the job done.
"Scott Sio's been battling with his shoulder since the last couple of rounds of Super Rugby," Cheika told reporters on Thursday.
"I think we've finally found, deep down, what's giving him the problem, so once we knew that we could make a clear decision about him returning to play.
"It was 50/50, but I preferred to call it relatively early in the week and give him a chance to get ready for next week, and give Tom Robertson the chance to get ready for this week's contest.
"Tom's only young and coming on the scene, but I think he's had his best year in the pro-game by far. His season with the Waratahs was excellent, in particular in relation to his work ethic.
"When you come to play with the Wallabies it's about connecting with everyone in the team. Since Tatafu Polota-Nau's been back, he's shown the experience he has and he's really keen for the clash.
"With Dane Haylett-Petty and Michael Hooper not having a heap of footy lately, we have to prepared for every outcome. Jack Maddocks, we've been bringing him through and we feel the time is right for him to get an opportunity, he's had a really solid season in Super Rugby and can cover a whole lot of positions which got him just ahead of Tom Banks.
"The multiple options of where Pete Samu can play got him in the squad. It's time for him now to go up a notch.
"Michael Hooper is fine, he's been through everything. I've never seen him come back from an injury before because he's never been injured before, but if you were watching training you'd think he hadn't missed a beat.
"Reece Hodge handles everything well, he's sledging pretty hard all the time.
"Everything's a threat in this game, everyone's a target on both teams. I'm sure they'll target Reece and I'm sure he'll be ready, along with his teammates on either side of him."
Reece Hodge spoke about how competitive the training camp was and the challenge that was ahead of him.
"No one's spot in the squad is safe, you can really feel that," Hodge said.
"We've been bashing each other up in the contact drills.
"The All Blacks' centre combination are in great form, they rarely make mistakes and it will be a huge challenge for myself and Kurtley Beale."
WALLABIES TEAM FOR BLEDISLOE ONE
1. Tom Robertson
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Izaak Rodda
5. Adam Coleman
6. Lukhan Tui
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. David Pocock
9. Will Genia
10. Bernard Foley
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Reece Hodge
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Israel Folau
Reserves:
16. Tolu Latu
17. Allan Alaalatoa
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Rob Simmons
20. Pete Samu
21. Nick Phipps
22. Matt Toomua
23. Jack Maddocks*
TEAM NAMING | Introducing your #AllBlacks 23 for the first #BledisoeCup and #RugbyChampionship Test of the year.
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 15, 2018
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