Rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his Test bow after being named in the Australia team to play England at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who has not played a game of senior club rugby union, has been selected at outside centre for the opening match of the Wallabies’ tour of the UK.
Suaalii is the only change to the starting XV from the Aussies’ last Test against New Zealand in Wellington, with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou making up the front row.
There are a total of 14 players in the match-day 23 who will play at the home of English rugby for the first time, including locks Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams, who start together for the fourth consecutive Test.
The back row sees 2024 John Eales Medallist, Rob Valetini start at blindside flanker, with Fraser McReight on the openside and captain Harry Wilson at the back of the scrum.
Scrumhalf Jake Gordon and flyhalf Noah Lolesio will partner at half-back for the sixth time this season as the men from Down Under kick off their first Grand Slam opportunity since 2016.
Dylan Pietsch retains his spot on the left wing after making his starting debut in Wellington, with Andrew Kellaway named on the right and Tom Wright at fullback.
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Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa make up an experienced replacement front row.
Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will bring further experience off the wood, with Langi Gleeson to provide impact in the loose forwards.
Tate McDermott is the replacement scrumhalf with the versatile Ben Donaldson providing cover across the backline. Max Jorgensen rounds out the 23, for what will be his first Test in the northern hemisphere.
“The side has adjusted well to the travel and have had a couple of trainings up here to prepare for what will be a very tough challenge on Saturday,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said.
“Playing in front of vocal home crowds in some of the most renowned Rugby stadiums in the world is an exciting prospect, with many of the players on their first spring tour.”
Australia – 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell.
Subs: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen.
Photo: @wallabies/Twitter
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
