Australia begins its late-season tour with a match Saturday against Japan at the Shona Denko Dome on the southern island of Kyushu — a stadium with recent bad memories for the Wallabies.
OITA, Japan —
Following the match with Japan, the Wallabies head to Britain for tests against Scotland, England and Wales on consecutive weekends from Nov. 7. He injured his ankle in Australia’s most recent win over the Pumas and was in doubt for the test against Japan, the first of four on the squad's northern hemisphere tour.
Among the other changes to the starting lineup are Matt Philip returning at lock to partner Izack Rodda, Rob Leota on the blindside flank to join a backrow with captain Michael Hooper and No. 8 Rob Valetini, and Tom Wright returning on the wing.Japan-based Cooper will start again at No. 10, forming an experienced halves combination with Nic White, while Paisami will join Len Ikitau in a young center combination.
After being overlooked for a Super Rugby contract in Queensland, Cornelsen’s career was revived when he joined the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan under former Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans. He will make his test debut Saturday alongside fellow Australian and Wild Knights teammate Ben Gunter who has been named at blindside flanker.