St.George Queensland Reds star Jordan Petaia has been picked at outside centre for Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash against England in Oita.
Petaia is no stranger to the position having started for the Reds in four matches at 13, as well as a further seven caps for Bond University Queensland Country at outside centre in the National Rugby Championship (NRC) last year.
Petaia is one-of-six Queenslanders selected in the do-or-die Test with Izack Rodda and Samu Kerevi also named in Australia's starting XV, while Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and James O'Connor will come on as finishers from the bench.
Reece Hodge returns on the wing following a three-week suspension seeing Petaia shift to number 13.
Christian Lealiifano returns to the 10 jersey alongside Will Genia in the halves, in what will be the first start for the pair since the Wallabies’ 16-10 victory over Argentina in Brisbane in July.
Michael Hooper will captain the side in his 99th Test after he was a late withdrawal against Georgia last Friday, while Kurtley Beale has completed the World Rugby Graduated Return-To-Play protocols to be named at fullback.
Saturday’s clash with England will be the seventh meeting between the two nations at a Rugby World Cup with the ledger even at three wins apiece since Australia’s 19-6 win at the inaugural 1987 event.
The two proud nations are set for their 51st clash but the Quarter Final in Oita will mark just the third time they’ve met at a neutral venue.
The Wallabies have had a poor recent record against the Englishmen however, having lost the last six meetings since Australia’s dominant 33-13 victory at Twickenham in the pool stage of Rugby World Cup 2015.
Foxtel will showcase every Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match LIVE across two dedicated channels with no ad-breaks during play and in 4K Ultra High Definition. All games will also be streamed LIVE and On Demand on Kayo Sports.
The Wallabies v England and Wales v France Quarter Finals will also air LIVE and free on Network 10, WIN Network and tenplay.com.au.
