Queensland fullback Chris Latham replaced Matt Burke in the only change to the Australian starting lineup to face South Africa in Saturday’s Tri-Nations rugby union test here.
Burke scored a try and kicked a goal in the 50-21 loss to New Zealand in Sydney last weekend, but was replaced in the second half.
Centre Elton Flatley will take over the goal kicking duties from Burke.
There were three changes on the reserves bench in the squad announced on Wednesday by Australian selectors. Brumbies rookie Matt Giteau was elevated to the 22-man squad in place of centreSteve Kefu, while hooker Jeremy Paul and prop Glenn Panaho were recalled at the expense of Adam Freier and Ben Darwin.
The loss to the All Blacks followed losses to England and South Africa and was the first time since 1995 the Wallabies had suffered three consecutive defeats.
The Australians haven’t lost four consecutive matches in the last two decades.
South Africa was expected to announce its squad, which crashed 52-16 to the All Blacks in its last match in Pretoria, later on Wednesday.
Australian lineup: Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers, Elton Flatley, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); Toutai Kefu, Phil Waugh, George Smith, Daniel Vickerman, David Giffin, Patricio Noriega, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.
Reserves: Jeremy Paul, Glenn Panoho, Nathan Sharpe, Owen Finegan, Chris Whitaker, Matt Giteau, Matthew Burke. – Sapa-AP