Suliasi Vunivalu’s debut in testing will have to wait at least another week, after Dave Rennie returned to Tom Wright as one of five changes to the starting match for Saturday’s second test against England in Brisbane.
Four of the five substitutes are out with injury, with Darcy Swain’s red card for a header that ruled him out of the next two tests. The lock has been replaced by Matt Philip, with young Brumbies gunman Nick Frost ready to debut from the bench.
Hunter Paisami enters the outside center, with Rennie revealing that Len Ikitau had a minor injury to his calf and would not take any chances.
Tom Banks’ injury to the winger had opened the door for Andrew Kellaway to take his position after his assured performance last weekend, but the utility hamstring injury threw a key to the works Tuesday.
The Wallabies defeat their rivals by 30-28 | 01:09
It has been reported that Jordan Petaia will wear the Wallabies’ No. 15 jersey for the first time.
Tom Wright, who was Australia’s best performance in Super Rugby this year, will replace Kellaway on the right wing.
Brumby, who spent some time as a winger for the first time this year when Banks was unavailable, has been preferred over Vunivalu.
The good ball door and the versatility of Izaia Perese have to reach the final position with a bench division of five forwards and three backs.
The exclusion of Vunivalu will once again raise eyebrows.
The two-time NRL Premier League winner was lured into rugby with a two-year contract worth an estimated $ 700,000. So far, Rugby Australia, however, has had no advantage, although the development of the 26-year-old was hampered by a series of hamstring injuries.
While that contract was cut to stay in the game last month, signing a one-year overtime to take him to next year’s World Cup, Rennie has repeatedly downplayed the hype and said he did not want to precipitate its development.
“It’s not so much about capturing Suli,” Rennie said when the team was named last month.
“We chose it because it has great potential, we believe we can accelerate its development within the field instead of leaving it out of it.
“He’s had problems with injuries, we’ve seen real quality vision and we’re looking forward to getting our hands on it and speeding it up.”
Andrew Kellaway’s hamstring injury has seen Jordan Petaia win his first crack with the Wallabies’ No. 15 jersey. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
In front, Taniela Tupou enters directly for Allan Alaalatoa, who was ruled out after suffering a concussion in the first half last weekend.
Matt Philip replaces Darcy Swain, with the lockout suspended for two weeks after his header to Jonny Hill at the end of the first half.
Tom Wright has been preferred on the right by Suli Vunivalu. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
There are two changes on the bench, with Frost about to make his debut as Perese enters the squad.
“It’s great to have Taniela back this week and she’s so excited to be wearing the gold t-shirt in her hometown,” Rennie said.
“Equally, Jordy is looking forward to having the opportunity to defend and of course it will be a night of pride for Nick and his family for their testing debut.
“We will proudly wear the First Nations T-shirt and sing the national anthem in Yugambeh language on Saturday night as we pay our respects to Uncle Lloyd McDermott and the First Nations people of this country.”
Wallabies team (15-1): Jordan Petaia, Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (c), Rob Leota, Cadeyrn Neville, Matt Philip, Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, Angus Bell
Substitutions
Sailing, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Nick Frost *, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, James O’Connor, Izaia Perese
* indicates without head