Wallabies pick two fetchers

Michael Hooper and David Pocock will both start for the Wallabies against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday.

For the first time in their Test careers, Australia's best two fetchers will start together in the same loose trio, with Hooper at openside flank and Pocock at No 8.

'Australian rugby is very fortunate to have some quality flankers competing for the number seven jumper,' said coach Michael Cheika. 'Both players have been in outstanding form for club and country this season and have shown their class in sharing the spot in the first two matches. They now have an opportunity to start a Test together which they are very excited about.'

In other changes, midfielder Matt Giteau returns from injury for his first start against New Zealand since 2011, Drew Mitchell gets the No 11 jersey, Dean Mumm comes into the second row and Scott Sio will make his first start at loosehead prop.

Wallabies – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nic White, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.

All Blacks team

Photo: Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images

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