Plus500 Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani has been named to make his 50th appearance for Australia as they take on South Africa in The Rugby Championship this weekend.
Kuridrani is one of five Brumbies named in Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s squad for Saturday night’s clash clash with South Africa at Perth’s nib Stadium.
Cheika has made four changes to the squad who were narrowly defeated by New Zealand in Dunedin two weeks ago.Tatafu Polota-Nau will wear the number two jersey with Sekope Kepu to start alongside him in the scrum as Allan Alaalatoa shifts to the reserves.
Adam Coleman returns to the starting side following his late withdrawal prior to the second Bledisloe Cup clash but Dane Haylett-Petty will miss the remainder of the year with the winger to undergo surgery on a biceps injury.
Saturday night is set to cap a rapid rise for hooker Jordan Uelese, with the 20-year-old in line to become Wallaby 912 after he was named to debut off the bench.
Uelese is set to be the ninth Wallabies debutant of 2017, after rocketing into Wallabies contention following his performances for the Australia U20s at this year’s World U20 Championships in Georgia.
Flanker Jack Dempsey is on the bench and in line for just his second Wallabies cap after his debut against Italy in June, while Samu Kerevi returns to the matchday 23 in the number 22 jersey.
At present, three players have been released for Round Two of the National Rugby Championship with Izaia Perese (Queensland Country), Kane Douglas and Adam Korczyk (Brisbane City) to play this weekend.
Saturday night’s clash is vital for Michael Cheika’s side with the Wallabies currently third on the Rugby Championship table after collecting just one bonus point from the opening two rounds.
South Africa currently top the standings following two convincing wins against Argentina, although history is in Australia’s favour with the Wallabies having won their last three at home against the Springboks.
The two sides last met in Perth in 2014 as Australia snuck home for a memorable 24-23 win, thanks to a last-gasp try from Rob Horne.
Tickets for the Qantas Wallabies’ 2017 Rugby Championship campaign are available here.
