The Australian team to face the Lions in the first test on saturday has apparently been leaked to the Sydney Morning Herald writer Paul Cully.
Wallabies XV: Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, James Horwill (c), Kane Douglas, Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu,Will Genia, James O'Connor, Digby Ioane, Christian Lealiifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau, Berrick Barnes. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe.
The inclusion of former AFL and Rugby League star Folau (pictured above) on the wing and Waratahs fly-half Berrick Barnes at full-back ahead of Kurtley Beale certainly catch the eye. Folau has impressed for the Waratahs this season in attack but question marks have been raised by Stuart Barnes and others over his defence in his first year in a new code. Barnes would offer the Wallabies an alternative place-kicking option to James O'Connor.
The team is officially named on Thursday.
