Phipps to lead Wallabies, Folau on wing

Israel Folau has been switched to his original Test wing spot for the Wallabies' clash with the Barbarians, with halfback Nick Phipps as captain.

Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps

Halfback Nick Phipps has been named captain for the Wallabies against the Barbarians in Sydney. (AAP)

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says X-factor player Karmichael Hunt has the inside running to replace the resting Israel Folau on the upcoming spring tour, but he will play a different role to the established fullback.

Folau, who played his first five Tests on the wing, will return to that position for the Wallabies clash with the Barbarians in Sydney on Saturday.

Lining up at fullback will be fellow code-hopper Hunt.

He made his Test debut at inside centre back in June but has played most of his rugby for Queensland in the No.15 jersey.

"He (Hunt) knows the sort of role he needs to play there, it will be a little bit different to Israel's role, there will be some different things he'll do," Cheika said.

"I think from June he merits the opportunity to have the first crack at it (fullback).

"I think Karmichael has got that little bit of edge and X-factor."

Cheika said the Wallabies would look to give Folau the ball in hand rather than just kick high and wide to the noted aerialist.

Folau is one of just two starters from last week's win over New Zealand named in the side to be captained by veteran halfback Nick Phipps.

The other is backrower Jack Dempsey, who has switched from blindside to openside flanker in the absence of captain Michael Hooper, one of many regular starters rested from the Allianz Stadium match.

"He (Dempsey) is a sort of hybrid, he'll play between blindside and openside," Cheika said.

"I really wanted him to have that game in there just so he could get a bit of experience with it before we go away."

The side includes two uncapped players in Reds' five-eighth Duncan Paia'aua and Western Force inside centre Billy Meakes.

However Paia'aua and Meakes won't get a cap and will have to wait to make an official Wallabies debut, as Saturday's match isn't classified as a Test.

The Barbarians will be captained by 70-Test Wallabies' five-eighth Quade Cooper, who Cheika didn't pick during the Rugby Championship.

"I do want to see him prosper and playing good football; he's been doing that in the NRC and that's been noted," Cheika said.

Wallabies team: Karmichael Hunt, Henry Speight, Samu Kerevi, Billy Meakes, Israel Folau, Duncan Paia'aua, Nick Phipps (capt), Lopeti Timani, Jack Dempsey, Ned Hanigan, Lukhan Tui, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Jordan Uelese, Tom Robertson. Res: Stephen Moore, Tetera Faulkner, Jermaine Ainsley, Kane Douglas, Ben McCalman, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona, Izaia Perese.


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Source: AAP



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