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Australia vs England: Injury-hit Wallabies make seven changes for second Test as Taniela Tupou returns

Australia vs England: Injury-hit Wallabies make seven changes for second Test as Taniela Tupou returns

Australia have rung the changes for Saturday’s crucial second Test against England, but more out of necessity than whim.

The Wallabies can clinch victory in the three-match series in Brisbane on Saturday having fought back from Darcy Swain’s first-half red card to seal a remarkable 30-28 victory in the opening contest last weekend.

However, head coach Dave Rennie has made seven changes to the side that produced that incredible comeback in Perth.

Taniela Tupou returns from a calf injury to start at tighthead prop in place of Allan Alaalatoa, who suffered a head injury, while lock Matt Philip replaces Swain, who was suspended for two weeks after his headbutt on fellow second row Jonny Hill.

In the backs, Jordan Petaia, Tom Wright and Hunter Paisami come in for Andrew Kellaway, Tom Banks and Len Ikitau, with Noah Lolesio starting ahead of James O’Connor at fly-half with Quade Cooper ruled out with the calf issue suffered in the warm-up in Perth.

Nick Frost is set to make his Test debut from the bench, with Izaia Perese also drafted into the squad.

Australia have won all of their last 10 Tests at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and will be eyeing a series-clinching win over an England side that had won all of their previous eight meetings against the Wallabies with Jones as head coach, including the 2019 World Cup quarter-final in Japan and a famous series whitewash down under in 2016.

Australia prop Taniela Tupou returns from a calf injury to start against England in Brisbane (Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Australia prop Taniela Tupou returns from a calf injury to start against England in Brisbane (Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

England have made four changes with the under-fire Jones gambling for a must-win contest, with Guy Porter and Tommy Freeman handed Test debuts in the backline, Jack van Poortvliet making his first start at scrum-half and Tom Curry replaced by Sam Underhill on the flank.