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London - In his first selection as Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika has recalled Will Genia and Quade Cooper to reunite when Australia open their five-match European tour against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Cheika, appointed last week after Ewen McKenzie quit suddenly in the wake of a last-minute loss to New Zealand, will give the long-time Wallabies halfback combination their first start together of the international season.
Only three Waratahs, who won the Super Rugby title under Cheika this season, were included in the starting line-up. Backrower Matt Hodgson will lead the Wallabies on Saturday, with Waratahs flank Michael Hooper rested for the match.
"This team contains a mix of players from our last game and also experienced players eager to push their way into the Test team," said Cheika.
Teams:
Barbarians:
15 Tim Nanai Williams, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Alastair Kellock (captain, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 James Parsons, 1 Matt Stevens
Substitutes: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Thomas Du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Heinrich Brussow, 20 Matias Alemanno, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Joaquin Tuculet, 23 Marnitz Boshoff.
Australia:
15 Israel Folau, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 Benn Robinson
Substitutes: 16 James Hanson, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Sean McMahon, 21 Nic White, Bernard Foley, 22 Christian Leali'ifano, 23 Joe Tomane (one to be omitted)
