Simmons a surprise second Bledisloe starter

Queensland didn’t want him for 2018, but Rob Simmons has been given the green light to start for the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Test.

Simmons, played 13 matches for the Reds this year, one of those at blindside flanker after being released by Queensland as coach Nick Stiles looked to the future.

He and fellow World Cup lock Kane Douglas were both out of favour at the Reds, with Simmons left out of the 23 as early as March when the side played the Jaguares.

Simmons played in 11 of the Wallabies' 15 Tests last year, starting in three of the Spring Tour Tests after an injury to Adam Coleman.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika showed the 72-Test veteran faith, though, picking he and fellow out-of-favour lock Kane Douglas in his Rugby Championship squad.

Simmons is the only change in the Wallabies forward pack from the Sydney Test, with Rory Arnold shifted to the bench in a straight swap.

As widely expected, Samu Kerevi, has been a casualty of the Wallabies’ Bledisloe loss as well, dropping out of the 23, with Tevita Kuridrani coming into the starting side for the Dunedin Test.

Dane Haylett-Petty has been cleared of a biceps injury, replacing Curtis Rona in the 15, with Henry Speight shifting to the left wing.

Rona has been kept in the matchday 23, though, named on the bench.

Jack Dempsey comes into the 23 calculations, with Cheika leaving a choice between he and Lopeti Timani open for one more day.