Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged 23 for the second Test of the Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series, including Plus500 Brumbies star forwards Scott Sio and David Pocock.
Pocock was magnificent in the June opener, his match winning try was just the tip of the iceberg of a breathtaking night for the flanker making his eagerly anticipated return to the Test arena.
Sio was also at his usual best getting through a tonne of work in both attack and defence.
Brumbies 2019 recruit Pete Samu was able to win his first Wallabies cap off the bench and looked extremely impressive in Gold, particularly at the breakdown winning two turnovers in his stint on the park.
Cheika has resisted the urge to tinker with a winning formula for the clash at AAMI Park in Melbourne despite the return of flanker Ned Hanigan (knee injury) and Brumbies lock Rory Arnold, now eligible after his suspension.
Saturday night’s Test will be the first time Cheika has named an unchanged 23 for back-to-back matches in his 46 games in charge of the Qantas Wallabies, after taking the reins in November 2014.
The Wallabies will persist with a six-two split amongst the finishers, with rain and wind forecast in Melbourne on Saturday.
Australia lead the three-Test series heading into Melbourne, after an 18-9 win at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night.
Ireland last played the Wallabies in Melbourne in 2008 when the Wallabies won 18-12 in a tight tussle at the then-Colonial Stadium.
The Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series is the first-ever three Test Series between the two nations despite them having faced-off in 34 Tests over their 90-year history.
Tickets are selling fast for the AAMI Park clash with the third Test at Allianz Stadium in Sydney already sold out.
For tickets, visit ticketek.com.
FOX SPORTS will showcase every match of the Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series LIVE with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.
All matches will also be screened LIVE and free in HD on TEN and WIN Network and streaming on tenplay.com.au
Qantas Wallabies team to play Ireland at AAMI Park, Melbourne on Saturday 16 June, 8.05pm AEST
1. Scott Sio (44 Tests)
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (1 Test)
3. Sekope Kepu (92 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (5 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (21 Tests)
6. David Pocock (67 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (80 Tests)
8. Caleb Timu (1 Test)
9. Will Genia (89 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (56 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (9 Tests)
12. Kurtley Beale (72 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (19 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (19 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (63 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (5 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (19 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (2 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (83 Tests)
20. Lukhan Tui (5 Tests)
21. Pete Samu (1 Test)*
22. Nick Phipps (62 Tests)
23. Reece Hodge (25 Tests)*(signed by Plus500 Brumbies for 2019 season)
Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series
Qantas Wallabies 18 defeated Ireland 9, last Saturday (June 9) at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Qantas Wallabies v Ireland at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Saturday 16 June 8.05pm AEST
Qantas Wallabies v Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Saturday 23 June 8.05pm AEST
