Big guns back for ‘excited’ Wallabies

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Veteran halfbacks Bernard Foley and Nic White return as Australia coach David Rennie looks for a “response” from the Wallabies against Ireland on Saturday.

Australia suffered a shock first loss to Italy last week and to that end, Rennie has brought back several players with a wealth of experience.

It will be Foley’s final appearance of the tour as he returns to Japan after Saturday’s clash – the Australians play Wales on November 27.

Captain James Slipper returns at prop to face the world’s no 1-ranked team in Dublin. Ireland are bidding for a 12th successive home Test win.

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The Wallabies are seeking their first win of the November series having pushed Six Nations Grand Slam winners France all the way in an opening 30-29 defeat.

“We were all bitterly disappointed after last weekend’s performance,” said Rennie. “We’re better than that and we need a response against Ireland on their home deck.”

Rennie said that he was looking forward to the “challenge” of facing the Irish.

“We’ve had a great week of preparation and welcome back a wealth of experience to the team this weekend,” he said. “We’re excited by the challenge to play the No 1 side in the world and can’t wait for Saturday night.”

It is the first visit to Dublin for Australia since 2016 when Ireland won 27-24. The Irish also got the better of the Wallabies Down Under in 2018, winning the series 2-1.

Australia – 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 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.

Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

© Agence France-Presse

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Devin Hermanus