Australia have made 10 changes and recalled a wealth of experience for Saturday’s Dublin showdown with Ireland on the back of an embarrassing first defeat to Italy.
Prop Allan Alaalatoa, centres Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau, and wings Tom Wright and Mark Nawaqanitawase are the only five men retained from the Wallabies team which began the humiliating and historic 28-27 loss in Florence.
Scrum-half Nic White and fly-half Bernard Foley will resume their half-back partnership in a side captained by veteran prop James Slipper.
Andrew Kellaway replaces the dropped Jock Campbell at full-back to join Wright and last week’s debutant Nawaqanitawase in the back three.
Skipper Slipper and Alaalatoa will pack down either side of hooker David Porecki, while lock Nick Frost has shaken off illness and a minor ankle issue to partner Brumbies team-mate Cadeyrn Neville.
A familiar back row sees Jed Holloway return at blindside flanker, with Waratahs team-mate Michael Hooper in the number seven jersey and Rob Valetini anchoring the scrum at number eight.
Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie said in a statement: “We were all bitterly disappointed after last weekend’s performance. We’re better than that and we need a response against Ireland on their home deck.
“We’ve had a great week of preparation and welcome back a wealth of experience to the team this weekend.
“We’re excited by the challenge to play the number one side in the world and can’t wait for Saturday night.”
— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 17, 2022
Australia team to play Ireland
Forwards: 1 James Slipper (Captain), 2 David Porecki, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 6 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Rob Valetini
Backs: 9 Nic White, 10 Bernard Foley, 11 Tom Wright, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15 Andrew Kellaway
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga'a, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Jordan Petaia