Rugby Championship
Michael Cheika makes three Wallabies changes
ESPN Staff
July 31, 2015
Wallabies need to feel the heat: Cheika

New Zealand-educated Toby Smith is in line to make his Test debut against the All Blacks after being named as one of three changes to the Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup Test at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on August 8.

The Melbourne Rebels prop, who impressed at the pre-Rugby Championship camp on the Sunshine Coast, is rewarded for his strong and consistent performances in Super Rugby.

Rebels' Toby Smith crunches Sias Ebersohn of the Force, Melbourne Rebels v Western Force, Super Rugby, AAMI Park, Melbourne, April 18, 2014
Toby Smith is strong in the scrum and in the loose © Getty Images
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Michael Cheika has recalled Matt Giteau and Wycliff Palu as the other two changes to his squad to face the Kiwis. Palu was omitted from the squad named for the previous Rugby Championship Tests against South Africa in Brisbane and Argentina in Mendoza, while Giteau missed the Pumas match with a chest injury sustained against the Springboks. No.8 Scott Higginbotham, hooker James Hanson and winger Nick Cummins were the players replaced in the squad.

"We have been able to look at a few different combinations during the first two rounds of The Rugby Championship and the squad is starting to take shape," Cheika said.

"In additional to the 31 players, we'll be bringing some injured and fringe players into camp to continue their rehabilitation and manage their return to play. It's important that they remain connected and contribute to the group.

"Toby has had a solid season with the Rebels, and has been working really hard while the group has been away. Our intention was always to rest Wycliff prior to this camp, and he has come back in great shape and really eager to play."

Cheika resisted any urge to rush Kane Douglas straight back in to the squad after the lock signed a three-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union and Queensland Reds on Friday following his return from Ireland. Cheika indicated that Wallabies staff would assess in the next week how well Douglas had recovered from back surgery before deciding when he might enter the selection frame.

The 31-man squad will assemble in Sydney on Sunday.

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs) Kurtley Beale (Waratahs) Quade Cooper (Reds) Scott Fardy (Brumbies) Israel Folau (Waratahs) Bernard Foley (Waratahs) Matt Giteau (Toulon, France) Greg Holmes (Reds) Michael Hooper (Waratahs) James Horwill (Reds) Sekope Kepu (Waratahs) Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies) Christian Leali'ifano (Brumbies) Stephen Moore -(captain, Brumbies) Drew Mitchell (Toulon) Ben McCalman (Force) Sean McMahon (Rebels) Dean Mumm (Waratahs) Wycliff Palu (Waratahs) Nick Phipps (Waratahs) David Pocock (Brumbies) Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs) Scott Sio (Brumbies) Rob Simmons (Reds) Will Skelton (Waratahs) James Slipper (Reds) Toby Smith (Rebels) Henry Speight (Brumbies) Matt Toomua (Brumbies) Joe Tomane (Brumbies) Nic White (Brumbies)

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