Folau takes centre role for Bledisloe 3

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named Israel Folau at outside centre for Australia’s Test against New Zealand in Yokohama, Japan on Saturday.

 
Reece Hodge’s ankle injury has forced a reshuffle to the Wallabies backline with Folau shifting to the number 13 jersey and Sefa Naivalu named on the wing for his first Test since playing Italy at Suncorp Stadium in June last year.

 
Naivalu will be looking to add to his remarkable strike rate in the Gold jersey, with four tries in seven Tests despite featuring predominantly off the bench.

 
Rob Simmons will start at lock alongside Izack Rodda after groin soreness forced Adam Coleman to sit out the final Bledisloe Cup Test of 2018.

 
Veteran Sekope Kepu is in line to play his 100th Test after being named amongst the reserves and will become the first prop in Wallabies Test history (and 9th Wallaby overall) to reach the century mark, should he run on at Yokohama Stadium on Saturday.

 
Kepu is joined on the bench by backrower Jack Dempsey, who hasn’t featured at Test level since the third Bledisloe Cup fixture last year because of a hamstring injury.

Dempsey was man-of-the-match in a memorable display against New Zealand, when Australia snuck home 23-18 in front of a packed house at Suncorp Stadium last October.

Samu Kerevi is also set to make his Test return after nearly four months out with a biceps injury suffered in the final game against Ireland at Allianz Stadium in June.
 

Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Nissan Stadium
 

*one to be omitted