- Title: To'omua starts at flyhalf for Australia against Georgia
- Date: 8th October 2019
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (OCTOBER 8, 2019) (REUTERS) WALLABIES SQUAD STRIDING AT TRAINING ON PITCH KURTLEY BEALE SPRINT TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN RUGBY COACH, MICHAEL CHEIKA, SAYING: "I know that different teams have differenlt strategies in how they want to approach it. Some want to go with the same players all the time and maybe rest out. We feel like keeping players competing for spots is working for us, I think we're playing some good footy. Here's another chance for other guys to do the same. Guys that didn't play in the last game." VARIOUS OF SQUAD USING STRETCH BANDS AT TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN RUGBY COACH, MICHAEL CHEIKA, SAYING: "I think that they are a very improved opposition. It's the first time Australia is ever going to play them, I think. So, we're lucky that we have someone like David Pocock who can come in for Hooper. We're trying to get a balance of opportunity, workload and also being ready to win the game. That is the number one priority at the end of the day." KURTLEY BEALE SIDE STEPPING (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN RUGBY COACH, MICHAEL CHEIKA, SAYING: "Yeah, we're addressing that, we've got some ideas on how we can be better at that. Maybe, because no matter how you see the picture, the penalties are real. So, you've got to do something because whether it's truth or perception, we're getting the arm raised against us and losing players to the bin for things that we shouldn't be." HOOKER JORDAN UELESE LIFTING WEIGHTS
- Embargoed: 22nd October 2019 08:16
- Keywords: Wallabies Michael Cheika rugby World Cup Matt To'omua Australia Georgia Japan
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Rugby Union,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001B08J7EN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika named his third starting flyhalf of the World Cup on Tuesday (October 8), putting Matt To'omua in the number 10 shirt for Australia's final Pool D match against Georgia.
To'omua, who came off the bench for Bernard Foley to spark Australia's ultimately fruitless comeback in their loss to Wales, replaces Christian Lealiifano.
Lealiifano, who started in the wins over Fiji and Uruguay, was named as a replacement with Foley, the incumbent for much of the last five years, missing out altogether for the third time this tournament.
Skipper Michael Hooper was rested with David Pocock replacing him as captain and at openside flanker in a new-look back row with Jack Dempsey on the blindside and Isi Naisarani at number eight.
A win in Shizuoka would guarantee the twice world champions a place in the quarter-finals, probably against England, but Cheika said getting through to the knockout stage was the sole focus of the team selection this week.
Kurtley Beale remains at fullback with teenager Jordan Petaia, who scored a try on his test debut against Uruguay, swapping wings and Marika Koroibete coming back into the side.
Samu Kerevi also returns in the centres with James O'Connor, who has recovered from the corked leg that prevented him from playing against Uruguay.
Kerevi was penalised for leading with his forearm into a tackle in the Wales match but said he would not be altering his running style.
Winger Reece Hodge is serving the last match of his three-game ban for a high tackle in Australia's opening victory over Fiji
Cheika said addressing the number of penalties Australia were incurring in the tackle was a major priority for the team this week.
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