Cooper set for Test return

Quade Cooper will start on the bench for the Wallabies in the third Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane on Saturday.

The 26-year-old's last Test appearance was against Wales in November 2013, with a shoulder injury ruling him out of this year's June Tests and the Rugby Championship.

Cooper played for Brisbane City in Australia's National Rugby Championship last Thursday, showing some nice touches and scoring 27 points with the boot as his team thrashed the North Harbour Rays 77-26.

'Quade has had a lot of great memories at Suncorp Stadium, and we'll be looking for him to provide the same impact should he get called on late in the game,' said Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie.

Two changes have been made to the starting line-up with Christian Leali'ifano replacing the injured Matt Toomua at inside centre and Rob Simmons returning at No 5 lock. It will also be Leali'ifano's first opportunity in the gold jersey this year, while Simmons has recovered from a head knock he suffered against the Springboks in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, Adam Ashley-Cooper will on Saturday become the sixth Wallaby to earn 100 Test caps. The others are George Gregan (139 caps), Nathan Sharpe (116), George Smith (111), Stephen Larkham (102) and David Campese (101).

Wallabies – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 James Horwill, 20 Matt Hodgson, 21 Nic White, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Rob Horne.

Photo: Matt King/Getty Images

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