Brumbies rookies to make Wallabies debuts

David Skippers

Uncapped Brumbies duo Noah Lolesio and Irae Simone will make their Tests debuts when Australia host New Zealand in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Sydney.

Lolesio, who effortlessly landed a drop goal in the Super Rugby AU final in his return from a two-month hamstring injury, has been called in to replace James O’Connor, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.

O’Connor hardly trained at the Wallabies’ training session on Tuesday.

Crushing blow

His absence is a crushing blow to the Wallabies’ hopes of keeping the series alive and taking the four-match battle to a decider in Brisbane a week later.

It also comes on the back of Matt To’omua’s groin injury suffered in the second Test across the ditch, which has seen Wallabies coach Dave Rennie call-up inside centre Simone to the run-on side.

In total, Rennie has made five changes to his starting side and another two changes to his bench, with Reds duo Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott also set to make their debuts.

“It’s really exciting to be able to name four more debutants in the squad this week,” Rennie said in a statement.

“Noah and Irae have played a lot of footy together and we have no doubt they’re ready to take the step up to Test rugby.”

The other three changes to the starting side had been earmarked, with experienced tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa rotating with Taniela Tupou.

In the backline, experienced full-back Dane Haylett-Petty replaces Tom Banks, who was solid but failed to own the position during the Eden Park loss, which saw the Wallabies go one-nil down in the series.

Explosive back Jordan Petaia, who sensationally wore the number 13 jersey during the Wallabies’ quarter-final loss to England last year as an 18-year-old, rotates with Hunter Paisami, who drops down to the bench.

While Rennie has kept faith with his tight-five forwards on the bench, the decision to call-up McReight and McDermott are surprising.

It’s the third time in as many matches that Rennie has dropped his back-row replacement, with McReight – the former Junior Wallabies captain – brought in for Liam Wright, who only one match earlier was brought in for Rob Valetini who had limited minutes off the bench during the epic 16-16 draw in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington.

McReight will bring energy and his on-ball strength will be useful, but there’s no doubt that the Wallabies’ bench is light on heavy artillery.

McDermott’s inclusion also comes as a surprise.

The lively scrum-half was one of the stars of Super Rugby AU and the 22-year-old was expected to make his debut in New Zealand. But Rennie said that Jake Gordon had pipped McDermott because he was a superior kicking option and that key element of the game was thought to be key in New Zealand.

Seemingly that school of thought has changed despite two composed performances from Gordon off the bench.

Sydney has been drenched by rain for the past week and it’s expected to be another wet night on Saturday, which would usually be conducive to playing territory and field position, but Rennie has opted for pace and will try to speed up the game.

“Tate and Fraser have had big Super Rugby seasons and have impressed in training over the past month,” Rennie added.

Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Hunter Paisami

Date: Saturday, October 31
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19:45 local (8:45 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Angus Gardner (Australia)