Kurtley Beale is set to make his Test comeback off the bench this weekend after being included in Michael Cheika’s final squad to face Ireland in Dublin.
Beale on Thursday survived the cut as the Wallabies coach trimmed three players from an extended bench, paving the way for the controversial utility to feature for the first time since the text-message scandal that rocked Australian rugby.
Waratahs star Beale joins veteran playmakers Quade Cooper and Will Genia on the reserves bench, giving Cheika plenty of attacking versatility for Saturday’s (Sunday morning AEDT) Test at Lansdowne Road.
“I just thought we needed a bit of cover at the back,” Cheika said of the decision to select Beale in his first week back with the squad.
“It gives us a few more options around fullback and centre if we want to play him there.
“I also like the combination that I saw at training this week with himself and Quade and thought that could be a nice little attacking weapon we could use towards the end of the game.
“He’s come over here, he’s fit and he’s been selected.”
Young Reds backrower Jake Schatz, who was called up to the spring tour last week along with Beale, also made the eight-man bench with James Horwill, Ben Alexander and Rob Horne dropping out of the extended squad named on Wednesday.
Cheika has made four changes to his starting side from last week’s 29-26 loss to France as he looks to hand chances to players who have been overlooked so far on tour.
Fijian-born winger Henry Speight makes his Test debut on the wing, ending a four-year eligibility wait, with Matt Toomua restored in the centres in place of Christian Leali’ifano.
Youngster Luke Jones and Sam Carter return to the starting forward pack in place of Sean McMahon and James Horwill respectively.
Australia are out to avoid back-to-back spring tour defeats for the first time since 2005.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper (capt), Luke Jones, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Sekope Kepu, Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper. Res: James Hanson, Tetera Faulkner, Benn Robinson, Will Skelton, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale.
