Coach Dave Rennie has turned to the experience of Reece Hodge to handle the expected aerial assault from South Africa, naming him at fullback for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test at Adelaide Oval
Noah Lolesio to start at five-eighth against Springboks in Adelaide
With 57 Tests to his name, Hodge replaces rookie Tom Wright who wore the No 15 jersey in the opening two Tests against Argentina, with Australia suffering a record 48-17 loss in the last match in San Juan.The Wallabies’ back three were badly exposed by the Pumas’ contestable kicking game, with Hodge’s selection designed to counter an expected similar game plan by the world champion Springboks.
Rennie will unveil his entire squad on Thursday but his assistant Dan McKellar already revealed Noah Lolesio will start at five-eighth in the afternoon match. With James O’Connor sacked after the Argentina horror show, fellow veteran Bernard Foley joined the squad this week but has not played since his Japan season ended in May.
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