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Wallabies suffer massive injury blow on eve of Bok Test

Brisbane - The Wallabies were dealt a big blow on Friday ahead of their weekend clash against the Springboks with influential loose forward David Pocock ruled out with a neck injury.

All Blacks players were accused of targeting Pocock with illegal neck rolls and twists during their 40-12 Rugby Championship win in Auckland two weeks ago.

He has not fully recovered despite being named on Thursday in Australia's team to face South Africa in Brisbane.

Wallabies management said Pete Samu will replace him in the run-on side on Saturday, joining captain Michael Hooper and Lukhan Tui in the back row for his maiden Test start.

Teams:

Australia

15 Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Will Genia, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Jack Maddocks

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Cheslin Kolbe

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