Christian Lealiifano is firming as the Wallabies playmaker for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final after coach Michael Cheika shed some light on his erratic selection methods at five-eighth.
Cheika has been criticized for failing to select the same player in the No.10 in successive matches since Lealiifano started both Bledisloe Cup Tests in August.
The position has taken on an experimental feel in Japan, with Bernard Foley handed a start against Wales and Matt To'omua against Georgia.
Lealiifano started the first and third games, against Fiji and Uruguay, and while not entirely convincing, he appears set to run the show against England on Saturday.
Cheika indicated the 32-year-old's opportunities had been reduced because of his age and ongoing recovery from a leukaemia diagnosis in 2016, which still required careful management.
In the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals, Australia will face England at 7.15pm this Saturday, the All Blacks take on Ireland at 10.15pm this Saturday while France will play Wales at 7.15pm this Sunday.
Japan will face South Africa in the last quarterfinal at 10.15pm this Sunday.
[Source: TVNZ]
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