The RC Toulon centre, who was named as the Player of the Year in France at the end of the 2013/14 season, hasn’t played for the Wallabies since June, 2011. But he will line-up in Brisbane on Saturday for his 93rd cap in a back line bristling with attacking talent.
Playing outside Will Genia and Quade Cooper, Giteau will have Israel Folau at full back, the blockbusting Tevita Kuidrani alongside him at centre and Adam Ashley-Cooer and Rob Horne on the wings. His Toulon team mate, Drew Mitchell, returns among the replacements.
Giteau has played against Wales seven times in his career, including a Pool game at the 2007 World Cup in Cardiff, and has only lost once. Wales play both England and Australia in Pool A at this year’s tournament, wth only the top two teams going through to the last eight.
It will be the first time since November, 2013 that Genia and Cooper have started together at half-back for the Wallabies. Their return, along with Giteau and Kuidrani, make it four changes behind the scrum from the last Aussie team that took the field in a defeat against England at Twickenham last December.
“I could not have been happier with the first two weeks of preparation here in Queensland. These players know they represent a squad of over 50 players who will have some involvement within the Wallabies program at different stages of the year,” said Wallaby head coach Michael Cheika.
“With new combinations comes a new level of energy to our team environment and Will, Quade and Matt certainly bring that. Matt is a true professional and his impact on the team dynamic has been immediate. His form in Toulon and work ethic since joining the squad has been first class.”
Stephen Moore returns to lead the Wallabies from the front row as he returns to the starting XV for the first time in more than 12 months, while former captain David Pocock is included among the replacements after missing the past two international seasons through injury.
“It has been a huge effort by Stephen to put himself in this position to once again captain his country. David has showed tremendous grit and termination to return to the Wallabies in challenging circumstances,” added Cheika.
“To be out of the Wallabies environment for two years and return a better a player shows his character; it is something he, and this country should be proud of.”
Another former Test captain, James Horwill, is included among the replacements, while prop Greg Holmes returns to the fold despite not having played an international for the Wallabies in almost eight years.
It will be Cheika’s first Test on home soil and he is looking forward to showcasing a new Wallabies era, in one of the country’s most passionate Rugby cities, Brisbane.
“We want the Australian Rugby fans to be proud of how we play, and the stage is set for players to put it all on display in front of a very patriotic and proud Queensland crowd at Suncorp Stadium,” said Cheika.
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; James Slipper, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu, Will Skelton, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Scott Higginbotham
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Greg Holmes, James Horwill, David Pocock, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Drew Mitchell
