Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has sprung a selection shock for the first Test against England, with 33-year-old Brumbies lock Cadeyrn Neville to make his Test debut at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday night.
Neville will be the third oldest Wallaby debutant since World War II at the age of 33 years and 235 days, the second-rower rewarded for a fine season that saw him become a key cog of the Brumbies’ run to the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals.
And Neville will be joined on his run-on debut by Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki, who caps a successful return from English rugby two years ago by earning his first Test start ahead of Folau Fainga’a.
“The whole squad has worked hard over the past fortnight for what’s going to be a tough three-Test series against a very good England side,” Rennie said.
“Earning their first caps is a proud occasion for David, Cadeyrn and their families, with both men taking a unique journey to realise their dream of wearing the Wallabies jersey.
“The honour of representing our country is a massive motivating factor and we’ll be doing everything we can to put in a performance that makes all Australians proud.”
Joining Porecki in the front-row is Waratahs teammate Angus Bell, with the loosehead preferred ahead of James Slipper, and Brumbies veteran Allan Alaalatoa.
Neville will meanwhile have the familiar face of Darcy Swain along side him in the second-row, the Brumbies youngster edging out Matt Philip. Completing the forward pack are Rob Valetini, skipper Michael Hooper and Rob Leota, the Rebels back-rower winning the hotly-contested No. 6 position.
The backline is as predicted, with Nic White and Quade Cooper combining in the halves, while Samu Kerevi and Len Ikitau will start in the midfield.
Tom Banks, Marika Koroibete and Andrew Kellaway complete the line-up in the back three, giving the Wallabies the same backline that hit its straps in the two victories over the Springboks last year.
Jake Gordon has won the back-up role at scrum-half on the bench ahead of Tate McDermott, while Noah Lolesio will provide cover for Cooper at fly-half.
AUSTRALIA: Tom Banks, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Nic White; Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper, Rob Leota, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Allan Alaalatoa, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell. Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Matt Philip, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Jordan Petaia.