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SYDNEY (AP) – Another injury has forced late changes to Australia’s lineup for the third rugby test against the British and Irish Lions, with Billy Pollard promoted to start at hooker after David Porecki and Matt Faessler were ruled out of Saturday’s match.
Australia’s injury woes continue as Pollard steps in for Porecki in third test against Lions
SYDNEY (AP) – Another injury has forced late changes to Australia’s lineup for the third rugby test against the British and Irish Lions, with Billy Pollard promoted to start at hooker after David Porecki and Matt Faessler were ruled out of Saturday’s match.
Porecki was ruled out Friday with a leg injury, making way for Pollard to move into the starting XV off the bench for his 10th test. Faessler’s calf muscle injury meant Brandon Paenga-Amosa had to be drafted in from outside the Wallabies squad assembled in Sydney.
Head coach Joe Schmidt had already unveiled four changes to Australia’s starting XV and another two on the bench on Thursday after the contentious, last-gasp 29-26 loss in the second test at Melbourne last weekend.
Another injury to Porecki compounds the absence of flanker Rob Valetini – who missed the series opener and had a big impact on the second test before leaving at halftime – and veteran prop Allan Ala’alatoa.
