Sio return boosts Wallabies

Scott Sio will start at loosehead prop for the Wallabies in Saturday's final against New Zealand at Twickenham.

Sio has recovered from an elbow injury he sustained in the quarter-final against Scotland and replaces James Slipper, who drops to the bench with Toby Smith missing out on selection altogether.

Those are the only changes to the match 23 that beat Argentina last Sunday.

'This week we've had a strong focus on improving certain areas in our game where we feel we haven't been at our best in the previous matches,' said coach Michael Cheika.

'We still have lots of scope to improve and we'll work on that before this next match. Our lads are learning to cherish each opportunity they have in the gold jersey and this week we have that opportunity again and we'll be doing our best to make Australia proud of its rugby team.'

Wallabies – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Photo: Chris Lee/World Rugby

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