Carter Gordon starts for Wallabies as Eddie Jones gambles for Bledisloe I

Young fly-half Carter Gordon will start his first Test this weekend after being named in the line-up to face the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Scrum-half Tate McDermott joins Gordon in a completely revamped half-back pairing whilst the talented Jordan Petaia returns from injury to line up next to inside centre Samu Kerevi in the midfield.

Melbourne-based star Andrew Kellaway also returns from injury as Eddie Jones names him at full-back with hopes of solving the concerns in the 15 jersey. Both wings are in great form as Mark Nawaqanitawase and Marika Koroibete retain their spots in what looks like a dangerous back-three.

With Michael Hooper injured and Angus Bell preferred to James Slipper at loosehead prop, tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa captains the side whilst David Porecki starts at hooker.

The gargantuan lock Will Skelton gets a new partner in the second-row this week in Nick Frost whilst in the back-row one-cap flanker Tom Hooper is restored to the starting line-up alongside Rob Valetini and Jed Holloway in the back-row.

Loaded bench

The bench boasts huge experience as Slipper is joined by Jordan Uelese and powerhouse Taniela Tupou as front-row options. Richie Arnold and Rob Leota are the other forward replacements.

Half-back pairing for the opening two Tests, Nic White and Quade Cooper, will look to impact the game late on whilst Izaia Perese rounds out the matchday 23.

Jones is excited about the occasion that should see more than 80,000 fans flock to the famous ground.

“We are a team that wants to make Australia proud and Saturday night is a great opportunity to light up the MCG,” he said.

“A young starting 15 and vibrant, experienced finishers will give us the 80 minutes we want.

“Wallaby Rugby versus New Zealand Rugby, it’s the most important game of the year.”

Wallabies XV

Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Tom Hooper, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Nic White, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Izaia Perese

Date: Saturday, July 29
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Kick-off: 19:45 local (10:45 BST, 09:45 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

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