2nd Perth boy this year to make test debut vs France

[volvo]

1. James Slipper (83 Tests)

2. Tolu Latu (1 Test)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (7 Tests)

4. Kane Douglas (28 Tests)

5. Rob Simmons (68 Tests)

6. Scott Fardy (38 Tests)

7. David Pocock (c) (63 Tests)

8. Sean McMahon (12 Tests)

9. Will Genia (vc) (73 Tests)

10. Quade Cooper (65 Tests)

11. Henry Speight (8 Tests)

12. Kyle Godwin*

13. Tevita Kuridrani (42 Tests)

14. Sefanaia Naivalu (3 Tests)

15. Luke Morahan (2 Tests)

Reserves (one to be omitted)

Stephen Moore (c) (114 Tests)

Scott Sio (27 Tests)

Tom Robertson (5 Tests)

Will Skelton (17 Tests)

Dean Mumm (54 Tests)

Lopeti Timani (5 Tests)

Nick Phipps (50 Tests)

Bernard Foley (39 Tests)

Taqele Naiyaravoro (2 Tests)

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2016/11...m-announcement

[volvo]

Michael Cheika backflips as Luke Morahan called up for France Test

IT was one of the most controversial calls of Michael Cheika’s career, leaving out Luke Morahan from his spring tour squad in favour of untried NRL recruit Marika Koroibete.

But Cheika has now pulled Morahan from the Barbarians team straight into his starting Wallabies team for the Test against France this weekend.

Morahan was left out of Cheika’s initial 35-man side so he could blood Koroibete, a move that earned him scathing criticism as it appeared he was overlooking a player who had worked tirelessly to earn a Wallabies jersey in favour of one who had switched codes and never played the game at a professional level.

Cheika explained his reasons to Morahan personally when he made the call.

“All the guys understand, everyone’s disappointed when they don’t make it and we had an honest discussion and he took my points,” Cheika said.

“He may not have agreed and I don’t expect him to, I don’t want him to be happy about getting left out, I want him to be dirty.

“And when I called him about going to the Baabaas and come here, he was straight up for it.

“I didn’t say he’d be playing this game, was talking mainly for the Baabaas game next week but I just think that it’s a good move and a good opportunity for him now to say, ‘Right, this is what I’ve got on the big stage’.”

Koroibete is on tour as a development player and will not play a Test, but could get a game in a midweek match in Bordeaux next Thursday when a secondary Wallabies team play the French Barbarians.

With Israel Folau being rested, Morahan moves straight into the No.15 jersey in just his second Test for the match at Stade de France.

“Morahan’s always a fullback, he’s probably just not playing fullback in Perth because of Dane there and I know it seems a bit ironic now Dane’s playing on the wing with us, not by choice obviously but it’s just the way it worked out,” Cheika said.

“It surprised me to find out when I first met him that he’d only had one cap, when I first got him in June because he’s a very knowledgeable player, he’s smart, he’s a big talker in the back field, he’s a finisher.

“He’s always scoring, NRC scoring tries, goes to the Baabaas scores tries. All the games he’s in the right spot at the right time, he’s got genuine pace and he’s deserved it.

“I know that I copped a bit of flak because I didn’t bring him but I knew that he’d be coming on this trip and that somewhere along the line I’d be able to get a hold of him while I try to get the other player in the groove of rugby and get him moving.

“Morahan trained a lot with us this year without playing that much so I figured it was better for him to go and play two or three games of footy and then get himself ready for possibly playing in this game.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/news/mic...5a32025016a142

[volvo]

Referee Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant 1 Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant 2 Greg Garner (England)
TMO Graham Hughes (England)
http://officiating.worldrugby.org/?p...intments&id=44

[vulcan]

do not agree with selecting a 2nd string side to try and save face by beating Eddie Jones as we wont beat the frogs or the Irish

[sandgroperrugby]

Really looking forward to seeing Kyle outside Quade and inside tevita

For a team that finished so low we sure have a lot of players being blooded.

Good on Kyle.

[travelling_gerry]

Whats the bet the newspaper talk will be " Brumbies Kyle Godwin"

[brokendown gunfighter]

Really looking forward to seeing Kyle outside Quade and inside tevita

For a team that finished so low we sure have a lot of players being blooded.

Good on Kyle.

please rephrase!

[shasta]

please rephrase!

Your Mexted fixation is showing Gunny. Belt up!

[Kalahard]

Congrats fo Godwin his NRC was improved on his super rugby form, also its about time Morahan got another shot at it.

[G_Beard]

Pleased for both Kyle and Luke on their selections.
The Force should recognise Kyle getting his cap as a WA lad getting to the highest level. It will be a good move.

[palitu]

Dane out?

[brokendown gunfighter]

Your Mexted fixation is showing Gunny. Belt up!

we have history

[choice]

Well done Kyle, many more Wallaby caps to come.
Cheika still talks a lot of shit, Morahan has done nothing to deserve more Wallaby caps.

[volvo]

Well done Kyle, many more Wallaby caps to come.
Cheika still talks a lot of shit, Morahan has done nothing to deserve more Wallaby caps.

Morahans NRC form had to give Cheika a reason to pick him, especially his counter attack in the NRC was awesome. As Cheika says just the way he finishes off tries, and also his speed has to be a good enough reason for him to deserve more wallaby game time. Check out this one try from the barbarians at about 4:00, Morahan kicks the ball back of his foot and still manages to run and get the ball down in wet, rainy weather, and again his speed is on show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkzW1tw6yyc

[GIGS20]

Well done Kyle, many more Wallaby caps to come. Cheika still talks a lot of shit, Speight has done nothing to deserve more Wallaby caps.

Fixed