MICHAEL Cheika rested regular skipper, and openside, Michael Hooper to give David Pocock a run in tandem with No.8 Jack Dempsey, who was also returning from injury, and blindside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. Pocock and Hooper, two of Australia's best players, played together in an unconventional back row to great effect at the last World Cup in 2015, but Cheika was not prepared to commit to reuniting them in Japan.
“I've got a few options and I'm not giving away too much,” he said.
“I thought Dempsey was good first game back and I thought Lukhan played his best game in a while so I've got plenty to think about but it's a good problem to have.”
Lock Adam Coleman left the field with a thumb injury and Cheika added: “He could have dislocated it. It's a bit sore now but he doesn't think there's anything too tragic so he should be alright.”
