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DEAN Mumm will captain the Wallabies against Uruguay on Sunday in Birmingham, just four months after returning from England to chase a dream of playing in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The Waratahs lock was named as skipper of a starting side almost entirely different to the Wallaby XV that ran on against Fiji in Cardiff on Thursday morning.
A short four-day turnaround between matches meant coach Michael Cheika opted for all new combinations, with Quade Cooper running the show from no. 10, Matt Toomua at no. 12 and Kurtley Beale at fullback.
“It’s an incredible honour to lead this group of players,” Mumm said.
Quade Cooper will start at five-eighth against Uruguay. Source: AFP
“Stephen Moore, Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper have done an outstanding job as a leadership team this season and I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to what they’ve created and lead the team on Sunday.”
In the forwards, Wycliff Palu has recovered from a hamstring strain and will wear the no. 8 jersey in a back row also containing Sean McMahon and no. 6 Ben McCalman.
Up front, James Slipper has been ruled out due to suffering concussion against Fiji. The return-to-play protocols require at least six days of recovery so Scott Sio backs up at loose head and Toby Smith gets his chance for a second Test at tight head.
Will Skelton will back up from the Fiji bench and partner Mumm in the second row, while Nick Phipps fills the halfback role.
Winger Henry Speight is playing his second Test at no. 13 and Joe Tomane and Drew Mitchell are the wings.
On the bench Cheika said he is looking to put more miles in the legs of Rob Simmons and Kane Douglas.
The Wallabies will be looking to deal clinically with world no. 19 Uruguay, who are tough but should be outclassed.
Players will have the potential to win their way into the team to play England the following Sunday, however, said Cheika.
“Definitely. For sure. It is not like it is such a short turnaround, it is six days. We are more than capable of managing that. Right now we are looking at the Uruguay game and it is an opportunity for the lads to lift the standard of play,” Cheika said.
“We really want the entire squad to get a touch of the ball early at this Rugby World Cup and get everyone into match mode.
“We’ll need all 31 players ready for action throughout the tournament and this is the first chance to do that for many of this team.
“We’ve had a solid preparation for this match considering that we’ve had to play two games in five days and we’re very happy with where the players are at. It’s important we continue to improve each day as a collective.”
WALLABIES V URUGUAY, VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM, SUNDAY, 9PM (AEST)
Scott Sio, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Toby Smith, Dean Mumm (c), Will Skelton, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, Quade Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Matt Toomua, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Kurtley Beale.
Bench: Stephen Moore, Greg Holmes, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Will Genia, Bernard Foley, Tevita
http://m.foxsports.com.au/rugby/rugb...-1227544288318
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Originally Posted by jargan83
