Australia desperate to stop losing slide against South Africa
Michael Cheika has come under heavy criticism for the performance of the Australian team.
©Press Association
Australia will be desperate to turn things around when they take the field in the upcoming Rugby Championship encounter against South Africa at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
In 2016, Australia have failed to register a single victory after suffering a 3-0 defeat to England at home and also losing back-to-back games against New Zealand in the first two rounds of the Rugby Championship.
A defeat on Saturday will take the losing streak of Australia to seven games which is their highest ever since 2005 when Eddie Jones was the coach of the team.
Head coach of Australia Michael Cheika has recalled lock Dean Mumm in the starting lineup while also retaining the backrow combination of David Pocock and Michael Hooper leaving flanker Scott Fardy out of the match day 23.
Also fullback Reece Hodge has been included in the starting XV allowing Dane Haylett-Petty to shift to the right edge. Hodge replaced Adam Ashley-Cooper in the 16th minute of the previous game after the 32-year-old suffered a concussion.
Cheika has also named an extended bench with one player set to be left out following the training at Ballymore on Friday.
Australia lineup for South Africa game: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Bernard Foley, Reece Hodge, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm, Adam Coleman, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (captain), Scott Sio.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Nick Phipps, Tevita Kuridrani, Drew Mitchell (one to be omitted).
