Scott Sio has overcome injury and returns to the Australia side in time for the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand at Twickenham. The prop reclaims his place from James Slipper, who drops to the bench in an otherwise unchanged Wallabies lineup.
Sio missed the semi-final win over Argentina with an elbow injury but comes back into the starting XV as his side aim to prevent the All Blacks from becoming the first side to retain the Webb Ellis Cup.
The Australia coach Michael Cheika told Australian Rugby: "This week we've had a strong focus on improving certain areas in our game where we feel we haven't been at our best in the previous matches.
"We still have lots of scope to improve and we'll work on that before this next match against New Zealand. Our lads are learning to cherish each opportunity they have in the gold jersey and this week we have that opportunity again and we'll be doing our best to make Australia proud of its rugby team."
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu; Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons; Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.
Guardian services
