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Agence France-Presse

Michael Cheika bolstered Australia’s line-out as the Wallabies coach made two changes to the starting team for the Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday.
Reece Hodge earns his first start for Australia after impressing off the bench in the 29-9 loss to New Zealand in Wellington two weeks ago.
He replaces winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has returned to his French club side Bordeaux.
In the other change, Dean Mumm will start at blindside flanker and partner David Pocock and Michael Hooper in the back row.
World Cup flanker Scott Fardy has been left out of the match-day squad.

Mumm had two strong performances off the bench in the Rugby Championship and has been selected to match the Springboks’ traditionally strong set-piece.
Cheika named an extended nine-man bench with one to be omitted following the final training run on Friday.
Really? Wallabies job not under threat insists Australia coach Michael Cheika after sixth straight defeat
If selected, Melbourne Rebels back row Lopeti Timani is in line to become the eighth Wallabies debutant this year as Cheika looks to rebuild the team.
Timani looks Australia’s best option for a traditional running number eight, while Sean McMahon is back in contention after playing for the Wallabies in June’s three-test home series loss against Six Nations champions England.

#BREAKING: Hodge on to the wing for @Springboks clash. FULL TEAM: https://t.co/rJSocjVjIO #AUSvRSA #StrongerAsOne pic.twitter.com/qKiqLq1cSM
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) September 8, 2016

Lock Rory Arnold is set to return to the Wallabies fold after overcoming an elbow injury.
There could also be a return for French-based winger Drew Mitchell, who has battled a groin injury and hasn’t featured for the Wallabies since the World Cup final in London in October.
Australia have lost their last six tests, three of them against New Zealand, and another defeat would equal the team’s worst run in the post-1995 professional era.

Seven consecutive defeats in 2005 eventually led to the sacking of then coach Eddie Jones.
Australia, who are the Rugby Championship holders, lie on the bottom of the four-nation standings having conceded 71 points in their two heavy losses to the world champion All Blacks.
Australia team to South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday
Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Bernard Foley, Reece Hodge; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm; Adam Coleman, Kane Douglas; Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (capt), Scott Sio
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Nick Phipps, Tevita Kuridrani, Drew Mitchell


‘Stop whining,’ New Zealand’s Steve Hansen tells Australian counterpart Michael Cheika

New Zealand overcome Australia in Bledisloe Cup for record 18th straight test triumph

Quade Cooper dropped as Australia try to stop all-conquering All Blacks

‘Focused’ All Blacks won’t be distracted by Australia in world record bid

The Rugby Championship 2016

Mumm’s the word: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika seeks Australia set-piece boost against South Africa

Australia's Dean Mumm runs with the ball during the Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand. Photo: EPA

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett (R) is tackled by Australia's Reece Hodge during the rugby Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on August 27, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

Australia stand dejected as the Bledisloe cup is presented to New Zealand during the rugby Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on August 27, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

Sign of weakness: All Black stars Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane question Aussie tactics

All Blacks flanker Sam Cane scores a try as New Zealand defeat an Australian side he says lacked focus. Photo: AP

epa05511620 Dane Haylett-Petty (L) of Australia tackled by Brodie Retallick of New Zealand in the Investic Rugby Championship test match between the New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, 27 August 2016. EPA/ROSS SETFORD AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Wallabies walloped: New Zealand crush Australia 42-8 to open Rugby Championship with a bang

Beauden Barrett runs in to score a try for the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Sydney on Saturday. Photo: AP

New Zealand's Dane Coles left, is tackled by Australia's Ben McCalman during their Bledisloe Cup Rugby test match in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Australia's Michael Hooper center is tackled by New Zealand's Julian Savea left, and Brodie Retallic during their Bledisloe Cup Rugby test match in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

New Zealand's left wing Waisake Naholo (C) fends off Australia's Israel Folau (R) and Ben McCalman (L) tackle to mark a successful try during their game of the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney on August 20, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN

Ben McCalman of Australia (C) holds onto the ball as Wyatt Crockett (R) and Codie Taylor (L) of New Zealand prepare to tackle him during their Bledisloe Cup rugby game in Sydney on August 20, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS

Sport

Rugby

The current Rugby Championship holders are seeking to avoid a record-equalling seventh consecutive test defeat having already suffered back-to-back heavy losses against New Zealand at the start of the campaign


Michael Cheika bolstered Australia’s line-out as the Wallabies coach made two changes to the starting team for the Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday.
