McDermott Appointed Wallabies Captain For All Blacks Clash
Sumaira FH Published August 03, 2023 | 09:30 AM
Dunedin, New Zealand, Aug 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2023 ) :Scrum-half Tate McDermott will skipper the Wallabies for the first time in the second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in what coach Eddie Jones Thursday called "a new era" for Australian rugby.
The Queensland Reds back was handed the armband for the Dunedin clash on Saturday with James Skipper starting from the bench and fellow co-captain Michael Hooper still out injured.
Allan Alaalatoa assumed the duties in their 38-7 thrashing by the All Blacks in Melbourne last weekend, but ruptured his Achilles and will be sidelined for months.
"Tate's got all the attributes to be a great captain of his country and there's no doubt it will be a proud moment for him and his family when he leads the team on Saturday night," Jones said.
"We started a regeneration as a team last week and now it's about building on that with a new captain and a new era in Australian rugby.
"On Saturday night in Dunedin we get an opportunity to continue our growth as a team." McDermott's appointment means Nic White is again on the bench alongside experienced halves partner Quade Cooper to finish the game, with Jones keeping faith in rookie flyhalf Carter Gordon despite a nervy performance last weekend.
The former England boss has chopped and changed his starting XV since taking over this year as he looks to lock down his best team for the September-October World Cup in France.
But it has not gone to plan so far with three straight defeats and the pressure on after what he called a "terrible" defeat in Melbourne, which came on the back of losses to South Africa and Argentina.
Jones made three changes to the run-on side for Dunedin with Pone Fa'amausili at tighthead prop in place of Alaalatoa to combine with David Porecki and Angus Bell in the front-row.
He freshened up the back-row, recalling Fraser McReight at openside flanker, pushing Tom Hooper to blindside flanker and Rob Valetini at No. 8.
Richie Arnold returns to partner Nick Frost in the second row, with Will Skelton dropped to the bench.
The backline is unchanged with Samu Kerevi and Jordan Petaia at inside and outside centre respectively, Marikia Koroibete and Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wings and Andrew Kellaway at fullback.
It is the seventh-lowest capped starting XV in Wallabies history, with 277 caps across the 15 players named.
Australia (15-1):Andrew Kellaway; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi; Marika Koroibete, Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott (capt); Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight; Richie Arnold, Nick Frost; Pone Fa'amausili, David Porecki, Angus Bell.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's visit schedule being discussed
Govt decides to procurement wheat from farmers
Deputy PM to pay 4-day visit to China from Monday
Pakistan seeks foreign investments in diverse sectors: PM
Digital transformation key priority for govt to improve tax collection: Aurangze ..
President-designate of COP29 for collective efforts to deal with climate change ..
Punjab Assembly Speaker suspends 27 members
World Migratory Bird Day being observed today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 11 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 11 May 2024
Taxing cigarettes a way forward for public and economic health
3 Gawadar attack victims funeral offered
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Collective efforts vital to eradicate drugs addiction
1 day ago -
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
6 days ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
6 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
6 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
7 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
8 days ago
-
Experts for ending child labour
10 days ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
10 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
13 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
13 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
13 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
14 days ago