Nine Brumbies have been named in the Wallabies 23-man team to play France in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio will wear the Wallabies number 10 jumper after James O’Connor was ruled out injured.
The 21-year-old will partner Jake Gordon in a new-look halves combination with Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White missing due to injury too.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said Lolesio’s selection as starting five-eighth was an “easy choice”.
“He’s a confident kid, he’s prepared to boss the big boys around, and he’s got a full Super season behind him now,” Rennie said on Monday.”
It will be the Brumbies young gun’s second Wallabies start after making his debut at five-eighth last year when they were beat 43-5 by the All Blacks in Sydney.
Rennie felt Lolesio had grown his game his year.
“He’s played a lot of footy and has played really well – his ability to play flat and on top of defences and his kicking game … it was a pretty easy choice,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity for Noah and the way he’s prepared, we would expect him to play well and be demanding of others around him.”
Brumbies Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Rob Valentini, Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper will all start for the Wallabies against France, with Lachlan Lonergan, Darcy Swain and Len Ikitau all on the bench.
Rennie said that after three weeks of solid training he expected to team to perform in game one against the French, with the second in Melbourne on July 13 and final Test back in Brisbane just four days later.
“We’ve put a lot of detail into our game and the first two weeks were massive,” he said.
“This last seven days we’ve had less time on our feet; so, a lot of repetition, a lot of clarity to give us every opportunity to fire from the first whistle so that’s the expectation.”
Wallabies Squad for first France Test
15. Tom Banks, 14. Tom Wright, 13. Hunter Paisami, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Noah Lolesio, 9. Jake Gordon, 8. Harry Wilson, 7. Michael Hooper (capt), 6. Rob Valetini, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4. Matt Philip, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1. James Slipper. Res: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Isi Naisarani, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Andrew Kellaway.
*Brumbies players in bold.
With AAP
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