Stephen Moore and Matt Giteau will become the newest Wallabies centurions, both named to play their 100th Test against Scotland in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final at Twickenham.
A Press Release by the Australian Rugby Rugby Union
The pair will become the seventh and eighth 100-capped Wallabies, joining George Gregan (139), Nathan Sharpe (116), George Smith (111), Stephen Larkham (102), David Campese (101) and current teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper (111).
Moore will captain the side in his milestone game, while Giteau has shaken off an injury concern to line up at inside centre.
Moore and Giteau will become just the second pairing in history to earn their 100th Test cap for their country in the same match after Italy’s Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni shared the same honour in a Test match against Fiji in 2013.
In another historic occasion for Australian Rugby, Adam Ashley-Cooper will become the third-most capped Wallaby of all time in his 112th Test, overtaking flanker George Smith.
David Pocock and Israel Folau will both miss the sudden-death match after failing to overcome injuries sustained in the Wallabies nine-point win over Wales last week.
Pocock will be replaced by Ben McCalman, who will make his second start of the tournament at number eight, partnering Scott Fardy and returning vice-captain Michael Hooper in the Wallabies back row.
Kurtley Beale, who has produced several impressive performances from the bench this season, will take Folau’s place at fullback.
After an industrious cameo against Wales, lock Rob Simmons returns to the starting side with Dean Mumm moving to the reserves bench.
Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika said the 100 caps for Giteau and Moore were significant milestones but the best thing the side could do to honour the veterans would be to qualify for a World Cup Semi-Final.
Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika said the 100 caps for Giteau and Moore were significant milestones but the best thing the side could do to honour the veterans would be to qualify for a World Cup Semi-Final.
“Stephen and Matt are very highly respected members of our team before they ever reached 100 Tests mark but this landmark makes all of us in the team very proud,” he said.
“Every opportunity in the Gold Jersey is cherished and the 100th for these lads is a great opportunity for everyone to see how much they love playing for Australia.
“It is also a great chance for the lads playing against Scotland to improve their performance from our last game.
“As the tournament moves on we must continue to get better. That’s something we really want to do and believe we have in us.”
The Wallabies reserves bench will be confirmed after the team’s training session in London on Friday.
Wallabies starting XV to play Scotland in Rugby World Cup 2015 Quarter-Final #4 at Twickenham, London
Sunday, October 18, 4pm local time (2am Monday, October 19 AEDT)
1. Scott Sio (14 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (99 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (60 Tests)
4. Kane Douglas (20 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (57 Tests)
6. Scott Fardy (27 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (vc) (48 Tests)
8. Ben McCalman (44 Tests)
9. Will Genia (63 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (24 Tests)
11. Drew Mitchell (67 Tests)
12. Matt Giteau (99 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (28 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc) (111 Tests)
15. Kurtley Beale (57 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (58 Tests)
17. James Slipper (71 Tests)
18. Greg Holmes (21 Tests)
19. Dean Mumm (40 Tests)
20. Sean McMahon (6 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (36 Tests)
22. Matt Toomua (29 Tests)
23. Quade Cooper ( Tests)
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