Cheika Names Vastly Experienced Team for Semi Final

Australia head Coach Michael Cheika has named the most experienced ever Australian team for a World Cup match. The 1991 and 1999 Rugby World Cup winning country will take-on Argentina in the second of two Semi Finals this weekend with the winner facing either New Zealand or South Africa in the World Cup Final next weekend.

Star players David Pocock and Israel Folau have both faced fitness tests enabling Cheika to name both in the run-on team. Pocock will play at the back of the scrum after missing the controversial Quarter Final win over Scotland through a claf injury while Folau is also back from an ankle injury. An additional change sees James Slipper elevated to the starting lineup in place of the injured Scott Sio.

The Wallabies have 876 caps while, by way of comparison, the combined total against Scotland was 818. Earning his 50th cap will be vice-captain and back-rower Michael Hooper.

Argentine Head Coach Daniel Hourcade is to name his team later today.

Australia
1 James Slipper, 2 Stephen Moore (Captain), 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Kane Douglas, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 David Pocock, 9 Will Genia, 10 Bernard Foley, 11 Drew Mitchell, 12 Matt Giteau, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 15 Israel Folau

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale