Quade Cooper has been dropped to the bench in a backline reshuffle for Australia's Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.
After two slightly average performances from the New Zealand-born first-five against South Africa and Argentina respectively, Cooper makes way for promising Force back Reece Hodge who's monster boot has seen him develop quite a reputation in international rugby.
The call is an interesting one from Cheika and looks to be sign that the Wallabies seek a little bit more directness and size in their backline over the option of having two first receivers in Foley and Cooper.
It was rumoured during the week that star back Israel Folau would slot into the midfield, however that notion has been mooted.
In the absence of Will Genia who's returned to his Top 14 side, Nick Phipps returns to the starting halfback role
Elsewhere on the field, star flanker David Pocock returns from injury via the bench in an unchanged forward pack.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Reece Hodge, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Lopeti Timani, Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm, Adam Coleman, Rory Arnold, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (capt), Scott Sio. Reserves: James Hanson, Tom Robertson, Allan Ala'alatoa, Rob Simmons, David Pocock, Nick Frisby, Quade Cooper, Sefa Naivalu.
Newshub.
