BRISBANE, Australia (AP) Desperate to reverse a run of losses, Australia has restored some x-factor at flyhalf and put extra emphasis on their biggest attacking weapon by recalling Quade Cooper at 10 and moving Israel Folau from wing to fullback for Saturday's Rugby Championship test against South Africa.
Ex-rugby league international and Australian Rules football convert Folau played all of his five tests on the wing but new and so-far winless Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has switched him to fullback to make the most of his aerial skills and his attacking potential.
The recall of Cooper, who fell out of favor under former Australia coach Robbie Deans and has not played a test match in almost a year, and Folau's positional move are two of four changes to the starting lineup announced Wednesday.
The No. 2-ranked South Africa made three personnel changes and two positional switches to the lineup which scraped to a 22-17 comeback win over Argentina at Mendoza in its last start. The Springboks have never beaten Australia at Suncorp Stadium, venue for Saturday's test.
Bismarck du Plessis takes over at hooker and as vice-captain from Adriaan Strauss, Flip van der Merwe was elevated to the starting lineup in place of lock Juandre Kruger and Zane Kirchner returns at fullback, forcing Willie le Roux to shift to the wing.