Declan Meredith will start at fly half against the All Blacks for just the fourth time in his young Test career, as the Wallabies make changes for Saturday’s final Bledisloe Cup clash at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.
Meredith, who made his Test debut against France in July, replaces Ben Donaldson in the number 10 jersey.
Donaldson was ruled out with a minor upper leg injury in the wake of the 50-19 thrashing dished out by the All Blacks at Auckland’s Eden Park last Saturday night.
Back-up fly half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will make his Test debut if he comes on as a reserve in Sydney.
He is joined on the bench by reserve scrum half Kalani Thomas, who is yet to play a Bledisloe Cup Test.
It will be a tough initiation for Meredith, although he will be playing outside Brumbies teammate and scrum half, Ryan Lonergan.
The 27-year-old got his first taste of playing the All Blacks after coming on as a reserve at Eden Park last weekend.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have moved Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back to the centres.
He started on the wing in the Wallabies’ past two Tests, but the absence of Len Ikitau (concussion) forced Wallabies coach Les Kiss to shift the ex-NRL star back to the midfield.
He will partner Isaac Henry, who switches from outside to inside centre, while Harry Potter will start on the wing.
Ikitau is a massive loss for the Wallabies, who are also missing Hunter Paisami (suspension) from their midfield options.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been shifted back to the centres for the Wallabies. (Getty Images: Brendon Thorne)
Elsewhere in the Wallabies’ match-day squad, former All Black Aidan Ross will start at loosehead prop, alongside hooker Josh Nasser.
Ross replaces Angus Bell, while Brandon Paenga-Amosa (rested) made way for Nasser.
Hooker Billy Pollard, lock Josh Canham, openside flanker Carlo Tizzano and utility back Filipo Daugunu have returned to the Wallabies’ squad as reserves.
“We got a clear picture last weekend of where we need to be better,” Kiss said in a Rugby Australia statement.
“We’ve said all along we’ll continue to work hard and grow our game, and the squad has been impressive in the way they have prepared this week.”
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who retained his place alongside Jeremy Williams in the second row, will appear in his 50th Test.
The Bledisloe Cup Test will cap off a historic “quadruple header” at Stadium Australia.
The Wallaroos play Scotland earlier in the day, while the Australian women’s and men’s sevens teams meet New Zealand and Fiji respectively.
It is the first time all four national teams have featured on the same match-day schedule.
Wallabies squad (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Harry Potter, Isaac Henry, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Carlo Tizzano, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu
Discussion about this post