Team for Ireland

[travelling_gerry]

Sekope Kepu to start at prop, Scott Fardy returns for Wallabies' clash with Ireland
Jamie Pandaram in Dublin The Courier-Mail November 14, 2013 7:00PM

HE is the self-appointed Wallabies' team barber on tour, now Sekope Kepu has been selected to

razor through the tough Irish forward pack.

Kepu has been keeping his Wallaby teammates looking sharp with his hairdressing skills over the

last three weeks but now must cut down the Irish scrum after being chosen to replace Ben Alexander in the starting side.

One of the strongest men in Australian rugby, Kepu has been catapulted into the side for this

weekend's Test at Aviva Stadium as much for his smarts as his brawn.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has rested tighthead prop Alexander on doctors' advice, and brought in the 125kg Kepu - who is understood to hold the bench-press record for the Waratahs.



Kepu, who also foiled a gang of ATM crooks in London earlier this tour, makes his first start of

the spring tour.

"He can change the game, he is a very powerful player," McKenzie said.

"It's just a matter of being able to get the energy in the right moments. It's getting a balance

in how he plays the game.

"This is a really good opportunity for him, there is a lot of expectation on him doing a good

job."

In the only other change to the starting side from last week's Test in Italy, backrower Scott

Fardy makes his return after being concussed against England. Rob Simmons returns to his usual second-row position after covering Fardy in Turin.

Sitaleki Timani drops back to the bench, resulting in Dave Dennis being left out the squad.

Also dropping off the bench is Saia Fainga'a, to accommodate the long-awaited return of Tatafu

Polota-Nau.

Rookie Waratahs prop Paddy Ryan has also been given his first opportunity of the tour, filling a

bench spot.

For the third straight Test on tour, Australia will run the same starting backline - which last

week was devastatingly potent against Italy.

McKenzie said Kepu had blown himself out too early in his last start for Australia, against the

Springboks in Brisbane on September 7, and expects a more measured game after being forced to rest Alexander.

"I take medical advice, the feeling was that Ben Alexander would benefit from a rest, Kepu has

been playing anyway and was looking for an opportunity, Paddy Ryan interests me to see what he's got," McKenzie said.

"I take the medical advice, and back the next guy, see what they've got.

"Kepu's been doing pretty good things. He got that one opportunity to start against South Africa

and maybe got a bit excited, burnt himself out a bit earlier in the game than we would have hoped.

"We've worked hard on his conditioning, technically he's very good at scrum-time. But the game is about balance, so we're looking for him to show that technical expertise in the game but also get a balance of the contribution.

"When he's been coming off the bench he's been one of our most effective tacklers."

Australia's scrum will again be under severe scrutiny, with Ireland noted for their set-piece

nous.

The Wallabies were dominated by the England scrum, but bounced back to match Italy last weekend.

Polota-Nau's return after months on the sidelines is also a boost, given his physicality and

scrummaging strength. He will back up Stephen Moore, one of Australia's best performers last

weekend.

Australia v Ireland, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 4.45am Sunday (AEDT), Fox Sports 1

WALLABIES: 15. Israel Folau, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Nick Cummins, 10. Quade Cooper (vice-captain), 9. Will Genia, 8. Ben Mowen (captain), 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. James Horwill, 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. James Slipper.

Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Benn Robinson, 18. Paddy Ryan, 19. Sitaleki Timani, 20. Liam Gill, 21. Nic White, 22. Christian Lealiifano, 23. Joe Tomane.



Read more: http://www.couriermail.com.au/rugby/...#ixzz2kbvUyJEk