Fly-half Tom Lynagh will emulate his father, the Wallaby great Michael, when he starts for Australia in Saturday’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions.
In the absence of regular starter Noah Lolesio, Lynagh, 22, will win his fourth cap at the Suncorp Stadium, wearing number 10 as Michael did in the 1989 series against the Lions.
With key forward Rob Valetini missing with a calf problem, Champion de Crespigny makes his debut on the flank with Harry Wilson captaining from number eight.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the 21-year-old cross-code superstar, partners Len Ikitau in the midfield, but there is no place in the squad for giant lock Will Skelton.
“The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what’s going to a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team,” said Australia head coach Joe Schmidt.
Schmidt has made four changes from the starting XV that edged past Fiji 21-18 earlier this month, after which the Australia boss played down his side’s chances of beating the Lions in the three-Test series.
Loose-head prop Angus Bell is held back on the bench, with the experienced James Slipper starting instead while, with Skelton absent, Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are in the second row.
Schmidt says both Valetini and Skelton were close to selection as they recover from their calf injuries.
“They were right on the edge, if it was last game of series they probably would have played but you can’t try and push them,” he explained.
Western Force flay-half Ben Donaldson is preferred to the veteran James O’Connor as Lynagh’s back-up, with the latter starting against the Lions in 2013 and called up to the squad following Lolesio’s neck injury.
Schmidt backed Lynagh to thrive in the high-stakes atmosphere of Saturday’s showdown, while admitting it will be a baptism of fire for the rookie.
Lynagh only has an hour of Test rugby under his belt, with all three of his appearances for Australia coming as a replacement.
“He may not seem like he’s designed to run a game and dictate what’s happening but he has a quiet confidence that gives us a quiet confidence,” Schmidt said.
“He’s fitted in really well and given us the confidence he’s going to run the game really well.
“It’s Suncorp Stadium, it’s his home track and it’s a fantastic opportunity.
“It’s not ideal to be starting your first Test match for the Wallabies against the Lions but if not now when? You have got to start somewhere.”
Starting XV:Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, De Crespigny, McReight, Wilson (capt)
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway.-BBC
