The Wallabies have been forced to make a late change to their side for Saturday’s Test against Italy in Florence.
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau comes off the bench, to be replaced by James Hanson, who is involved in the matchday squad on tour for the first time after making his debut during last month’s drawn Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.
Polota-Nau was withdrawn on Friday evening after still being troubled by soreness from last weekend’s Cook Cup Test match during Friday’s captain’s walkover at the Stade Artemio, where Saturday’s Test will be played.
The Wallabies have completed preparations for what will be the 15th Test match to have been played between Australia and Italy.
In other news from the Wallabies’ year-end tour, a date has been set for Australia’s appeal against the eight-week suspension that was handed to lock Rob Simmons following the Test against France in Paris earlier in the trip.
The appeal will be heard by a three-man panel in Bristol next Tuesday.
The Wallaby squad moves to Cardiff for the final Test of 2012, the James Bevan Trophy match against Wales, on Sunday.
Australia: 15 Berrick Barnes, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 James Hansen, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Mike Harris, 23 Digby Ioane.
Date: Saturday, 24 November
Venue: Stade Artemio, Florence
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT; 24.00 AEST)
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Neil Paterson (Scotland)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
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