Rugby: Vickerman and Samo to face ABs

Dan Vickerman. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran forwards Dan Vickerman and Radike Samo make their returns to the Wallabies starting team in Saturday's Tri Nations series decider against the All Blacks.

Lock Vickerman and No.8 Samo were named today for the Suncorp Stadium match.

Anthony Fainga'a will get his second Test start, taking over at outside centre from Adam Ashley-Cooper who moves to the wing spot left vacant by youngster James O'Connor's suspension for missing last week's World Cup squad announcement.

The match will see James Horwill lead his country for the first time in front of a sellout home crowd, becoming Australia's 77th Test captain after replacing Rocky Elsom as skipper.

He will be partnered in the second row by Test veteran Vickerman who replaces Nathan Sharpe as he continues his return from a lengthy study sabbatical in England.

Sharpe was not named in the match squad and he will instead captain the Australian Barbarians in Friday night's game against Canada on the Gold Coast.

Samo will start his first Test since 2004, after coming from the bench for the final 21 minutes of Australia's 14-9 win over South Africa in Durban 10 days ago.

He comes in at the expense of Scott Higginbotham who reverts to the bench.

Wallabies team: Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Fainga'a, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Radike Samo, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, James Horwill, Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu. Res: Saia Fainga'a, Salesi Ma'afu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, one TBA.

- AAP