Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has chosen the NSW Super Rugby winning halves combination for this Saturday's Test against South Africa at the expense of Maitland Blacks junior Nic White.
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McKenzie today named Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley in the starting side for game three of the 2014 Rugby Championship with White and Kurtley Beale on the bench after being part of the first XV in Australia's last two outings against New Zealand.
The Wallabies have yet to win a Test in this year's competition despite holding the All Blacks to a 12-all draw in Sydney on August 16 and McKenzie said he felt this was the right mix of players to tackle the Springboks at Patersons Stadium on the weekend.
"While the size of the challenge isn't any easier this week, the South Africans do play a unique brand of rugby which we will need to adjust to," McKenzie said.
"That's reflected in our selections somewhat, where we feel the partnership of Nick and Bernard will best suit the style of game we'll be trying to play.
"They've got a proven combination at a Super Rugby level and we look forward to seeing how that translates into the Test environment.
"It's naturally disappointing for the two guys who missed out on the starting team in Nic and Kurtley, but the reality is we have a lot of good players in those playmaking positions.
"We expect them to respond in a positive manner and to make an impact playing an important role in how we close out the match."
