The Wallabies team has been named to play Uruguay in their second match of Rugby World Cup 2015 at Villa Park on Sunday September 27, with Dean Mumm earning the prestigious honour of becoming the 84th player to Captain the Wallabies.
Returning to Australian Rugby from England earlier this year, Mumm takes over the captaincy role from Stephen Moore, who moves to the reserves bench as one of 14 changes to the Wallabies run-on side following the team’s 28-13 victory over Fiji in Cardiff.
Making his international debut for the Wallabies against Ireland in 2008, the former NSW Waratahs and Exeter Chiefs Captain will play in his 39th Test as part of a match day 23 featuring over 800 caps of Test experience.
Supporting Mumm in a new-look leadership team will be first-time vice-captain Drew Mitchell, and Ben McCalman, who will deputise for the second time in his career. McCalman previously shared the Wallabies vice-captaincy with Matt Giteau in the recent Test against the USA Eagles in Chicago.
“It’s an incredible honour to lead this group of players,” said Mumm.
“Stephen Moore, Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper have done an outstanding job as a leadership team this season and I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to what they’ve created and lead the team on Sunday.”
“This is a really important match in our campaign and four players are getting the opportunity to play in their first Rugby World Cup match, so it is a significant occasion for those players and a chance for us to build on the performance against Fiji.”
Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika said he wanted to give every player a taste of the Rugby World Cup, while looking to improve and build momentum as a group.
“We really want the entire squad to get a touch of the ball early at this Rugby World Cup and get everyone into match mode. We will need all 31 players ready for action throughout the tournament and this is the first chance to do that for many of this team.
“We’ve had a solid preparation for this match considering that we’ve had to play two games in five days and we’re very happy with where the players are at.
"It's important we continue to improve each day as a collective.”
Australia’s second Pool A match of Rugby World Cup 2015 will be screened LIVE in Australia on FOX SPORTS 502 and GEM from 8:30pm AEST on Sunday.
Rugby World Cup 2015 Match 17: Wallabies team to play Uruguay at Villa Park, Birmingham on Sunday, September 27, 12:00pm kick off local time (9:00pm AEST)
1. Scott Sio (11 Tests)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (55 Tests)
3. Toby Smith (1 Test)
4. Dean Mumm (c) (38 Tests)
5. Will Skelton (12 Tests)
6. Ben McCalman (vc) (41 Tests)
7. Sean McMahon (4 Tests)
8. Wycliff Palu (57 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (33 Tests)
10. Quade Cooper (57 Tests)
11. Drew Mitchell (vc) (65 Tests)
12. Matt Toomua (26 Tests)
13. Henry Speight (4 Tests)
14. Joe Tomane (16 Tests)
15. Kurtley Beale (53 Tests)
Reserves
16. Stephen Moore (97 Tests)
17. Sekope Kepu (57 Tests)
18. Greg Holmes (19 Tests)
19. Kane Douglas (17 Tests)
20. Rob Simmons (54 Tests)
21. Will Genia (61 Tests)
22. Bernard Foley (22 Tests)
23. Tevita Kuridrani (25 Tests)
