Moore gets last dig at the ABs

Michael Cheika has confirmed Wallabies stalwart Stephen Moore will get a hometown farewell in Brisbane against the All Blacks on Saturday.

It comes as Rob Simmons was recalled to the Wallabies XV in place of injured second-rower Izack Rodda, while Karmichael Hunt will miss out on a chance to tackle the All Blacks for the first time. 

After plenty of speculation as to whether Moore, a veteran of 124 tests, would get an opportunity to farewell Australian fans in the final Bledisloe Cup match of the year, Cheika has shown faith in the 34-year-old. 

After relinquishing the Wallabies captaincy in July, Moore is set to retire from international rugby at the end of the year. No decision, however, has been made on whether he will tour with the Wallabies on their end of year trip to Japan and Europe. 

Tatafu Polota-Nau is the team's starting hooker in a tight-five that remains the same from the side's last win against Argentina, save for the inclusion of Simmons. 

Simmons started in the second row during the last encounter between the teams in Dunedin. 

Cheika has once again named an unchanged backline, highlighted by Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale at Nos 10 and 12. 

The Wallabies coach has gone with five forwards and three backs on the bench but there was no room for Hunt following his return from an ankle injury. 

​Nick Phipps will be the team's back-up halfback, while Samu Kerevi and Henry Speight have been given the green light over Hunt, one of Australia's standout performers in the June series. 

Ned Hanigan and Lukhan Tui will serve as the team's cover in the back row and second row.

The Wallabies will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak against the All Blacks, who have already retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 15th year in row after a 20-point victory in Sydney and six-point win in Dunedin. 

 WALLABIES: Israel Folau, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Kurtley Beale, Reece Hodge, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper, Jack Dempsey, Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio. Reserves: Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Tui, Ned Hanigan, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi, Henry Speight.

 

 

Photo by: MARK KOLBE/GETTY IMAGES (Caption: Stephen Moore will get to play a test in front of his hometown crowd for one last time, against the All Blacks in Brisbane on Saturday)