Jordan Petaia will start at fullback for the Wallabies on Saturday after the impressive Andrew Kellaway joined Tom Banks on the injured list.
Kellaway was one of Australia’s best in the dramatic 30-28 first Test win over England after moving from the wing to fullback to replace the injured Banks.
Banks has had surgery on his broken arm following the gruesome fall in Perth.
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It appeared Kellaway was set for an extended run in the No.15 jersey but the Wallabies revealed a hamstring injury will keep the 26-year-old out of the second Test in Brisbane.
That gives Petaia his big break after the talented 22-year-old came off the bench to replace Banks and scored a crucial second half try playing on the wing.
Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had argued before the series that Petaia should be given a crack at 15 while Test great Tim Horan is also supportive of that move.
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Cheika backs Petaia as Wallabies fullback
“At 15 he gives you something a bit different,” Cheika said on Nine’s Sports Sunday.
“Great in the air and if he can build his kicking game, he’s got X factor as well, he can deliver something from the back.”
Cheika was then pressed as to whether Petaia was ready to start in such a demanding position.
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“He never will be if he doesn’t get a chance,” the now Argentina boss said.
“If the coach sees that there’s the opportunity for him, then getting these Test matches a year and a half out from the World Cup is essential.”
While Petaia is undoubtedly an exciting attacker, England coach Eddie Jones will also sniff an opportunity to apply pressure given his inexperience at fullback and a work in progress kicking game.
The Wallabies will name their full team at 1.15pm AEST on Thursday.
Tom Wright is the obvious candidate to start on Kellaway’s wing, while the versatile Reece Hodge will come into bench calculations after being recalled from Australia A.
Suliasi Vunivalu is also in the mix for a potential Test debut.
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Noah Lolesio is set to retain the No.10 jersey after a perfect goalkicking display at Optus Stadium.
Quade Cooper’s calf strain is expected to keep him sidelined until the third Test at the earliest.
Matt Philip is likely to replace Darcy Swain after the big lock was slapped with a two week ban for headbutting Jonny Hill.
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The Wallabies are hopeful that Taniela Tupou (calf) will be fit after the superstar prop missed the series opener.
His availability would be timely following tighthead Allan Alaalatoa’s first Test concussion.
England flanker Tom Curry has already been ruled out with concussion and is set to be replaced by fellow Rugby World Cup star Sam Underhill.
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