24 Aug 2013

McKenzie sticks with Toomua and Mogg for Wallabies

7:18 am on 24 August 2013

The Australia first five-eighth Matt Toomua and fullback Jesse Mogg have been given a second chance to prove themselves against the All Blacks.

Both players have retained their places in the Wallabies side to play New Zealand in second Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington on Saturday.

Toomua made his debut last week in the 47-29 loss in Sydney and, while he was able to handle the pressure of international rugby, he failed to spark his backline against a swarming All Blacks defence.

Mogg, playing his second test, was found wanting defensively and his powerful kicking game failed him at the Olympic Stadium but the coach Ewen McKenzie has given the attacking 24-year-old a chance at redemption.

The only change to the starting lineup was Scott Fardy, who made his test debut off the bench in Sydney, coming in at blindside flanker to replace Hugh McMeniman, who was ruled out with a lingering shoulder problem.

Australia: 15-Jesse Mogg, 14-Israel Folau, 13-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12-Christian Leali'ifano, 11-James O'Connor, 10-Matt Toomua, 9-Will Genia, 8-Ben Mowen, 7-Michael Hooper, 6-Scott Fardy, 5-James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, 3-Ben Alexander, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-James Slipper.

Replacements: 16-Saia Faingaa, 17-Scott Sio, 18-Sekope Kepu, 19-Kane Douglas, 20-Liam Gill, 21-Nic White, 22-Quade Cooper, 23-Tevita Kuridrani