Rugby-Australia lose Foley, Genia for Japan test

TOKYO, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Australia will be without their first choice halfback combination against Japan in Yokohama on Saturday after Will Genia and Bernard Foley were both ruled out of the match.

Reece Hodge will make his first test start at flyhalf in place of Foley, who is ill, with Nick Phipps taking over from Genia after the scrumhalf injured his calf in the Wallabies' victory over New Zealand in Brisbane on Oct. 21.

Karmichael Hunt, who had been expected to start at fullback in the absence of the rested Israel Folau, also misses out after injuring his neck in training on Tuesday and Kurtley Beale moves back from inside centre to take the number 15 jersey.

Samu Kerevi will partner Tevita Kuridrani in midfield and, with Marika Koroibete and Henry Speight on the wings, the Wallabies will field four Fiji-born players in the starting backline.

Lock Matt Philip could make his test debut off the bench, while replacement loose forward Ben McCalman will play his first international since last August if he gets on the pitch against the Brave Blossoms.

Hodge has experience of playing at flyhalf in club rugby but has played at inside centre and on the wing in his 20 tests for the Wallabies.

Team:

15-Kurtley Beale, 14-Marika Koroibete, 13-Tevita Kuridrani, 12-Samu Kerevi, 11-Henry Speight, 10-Reece Hodge, 9-Nick Phipps, 8-Sean McMahon, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Ned Hanigan, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rob Simmons, 3-Sekope Kepu, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio

Replacements: 16-Stephen Moore, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Allan Alaalatoa, 19-Mat Philip, 20-Ben McCalman, 21-Lopeti Timani, 22-Joe Powell, 23-Curtis Rona.

(Writing by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, Editing by Peter Rutherford)