Backs Matt Giteau and Mark Gerrard were included on Wednesday in the Australian team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final rematch against England at Suncorp Stadium.
In the only two changes from the side that beat Scotland 34-13 in Sydney last weekend, Giteau comes into the starting lineup at inside centre while Gerrard is included in a Wallabies squad for the first time on the bench.
Giteau has recovered after being ruled out on the day of last Saturday’s match with a virus.
”It was disappointing for Matt to miss out on a starting opportunity against Scotland last weekend, but he has the experience and skill to step up,” Australian coach Eddie Jones said on Wednesday.
”He’s played at a high level for a couple of seasons now and is ready for the challenge of starting in a big test like this one.”
Gerrard also missed the two Scotland tests through injury. England, which lost matches on the past two weekends to the All Blacks in New Zealand, plans to name its team on Thursday.
Australia: Joe Roff, Wendell Sailor, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, Justin Harrison, Bill Young, Brendan Cannon, Alastair Baxter.
Replacements: Matt Dunning, Jeremy Paul, Daniel Vickerman, George Smith, Clyde Rathbone, Mark Gerrard, Chris Latham. – Sapa-AP