Wallabies pick Giteau, Cooper and Genia

Cooper is competing with New South Wales Waratah Bernard Foley for the starting role against the Springboks in Brisbane on Saturday after recovering from a shoulder injury that wiped out a large stretch of his Super Rugby season.

Quade Cooper has received a glowing endorsement from Wallaby coach Michael Cheika.

“I think the skill set that they have got is something that I want to see them use against South Africa, a variation they might bring to the game”.

“I’m very focused on the Wallabies right now”, he told reporters.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (capt), 1James Slipper.

His aggression in attack and defence, and his ability to carry the ball would no doubt remind Cheika of himself, the Wallabies mentor having been an under-rated number eight for Sydney club powerhouse Randwick during the late 1980s and 1990s.

Head coach Michael Cheika’s first team of 2015 features a number of changes from the side that lost to England at Twickenham in November as they begin their Rugby World Cup preparations with a shortened Rugby Championship ahead of a final warm-up against rivals New Zealand next month.

“Work hard and, like I’ve said before and it’s not just lip service, make our supporters proud of the way we play”.

“I realise the importance and position I was in, the privilege I had, which I took for granted”.

The Wallabies squad had largely been left in the dark about the composition of the matchday line-up before Thursday, a ploy no doubt used by Cheika to keep his players on their toes.

Cheika would not rule out looking beyond the 31-man squad he chose following the five-day camp in Caloundra last week if players do not make the most of his chances in the Rugby Championship.

“It’s a personal thing and it’s player driven, ‘ Skelton said of the Wallabies” approach.

“We’ve got a lot of different combinations we can play – today he was playing with Matty Toomua next to him, he could be playing with Giteau next to him like he did on Friday”.

For skipper Stephen Moore, success in their first test of World Cup year will depend on how the Wallabies can impose their brand of rugby on Saturday’s game.

“Warren Whiteley played very well last weekend, but he knows exactly where he stands and will play again for the Boks this season”.