Wallabies make just one change for 2nd test match vs France

By Associated Press 11 July 2021, 12:00AM

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Prop Taniela Tupou has been promoted to the starting side in the only change to the Australian team for the second rugby test against France in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Tupou takes over from Allan Alaalatoa, who drops to the bench, with coach Dave Rennie picking the same game-day 23 for the first time in consecutive tests since taking charge last year.

Australia beat France 23-21 in the first test last Wednesday in Brisbane. The third match is also set for Brisbane next Saturday.

Tupou had a strong influence with both his scrummaging and ball-running after coming off the bench in the Suncorp Stadium match.

“Taniela made a real impact on both sides of the ball when he came on in at Suncorp Stadium and we’ll be looking for him to do the same from the get go in Melbourne,” Rennie said in a statement Sunday.

“We’ve worked hard and we’re well-conditioned. A lack of accuracy in Brisbane denied us the opportunity to make the most of that, but we showed plenty of character to stay in the fight until the final whistle."

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Australia: Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (captain), Rob Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Phillip, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Isi Naisarani, Tate McDermott, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway.

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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By Associated Press 11 July 2021, 12:00AM

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