Rookie five-eighth Noah Lolesio will patrol the Wallabies backline after being named to make his Test debut in the third Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Sydney.

Lolesio is one of four uncapped players selected in the Wallabies’ matchday squad for Saturday night’s fixture, which doubles as the opening match of the Tri Nations tournament that also features Argentina.

The call-up to the Wallabies starting XV continues what has been a remarkable year for Lolesio. He established himself as the Brumbies first choice five-eighth and helped the club win the Super Rugby AU championship last month.

The 20-year-old, who replaces the injured James O’Conner as the Wallabies five-eighth, will partner Brumbies teammate Nic White in the halves against the All Blacks.

Another Brumbies player, Irae Simone, will earn his first Test cap after being named to replace the injured Matt To’omua at inside centre.

Queensland Reds pair Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight are also in line to make their Test debuts, having been picked on the reserves bench.

In other backline changes, Dane Haylett-Petty returns at fullback at the expense of Tom Banks, and the dynamic Jordan Petaia replaces Hunter Paisami at outside centre.

In the only change to the forward pack, Allan Alaalatoa will start at tighthead prop instead of Taniela Tupou, who will come off the bench.

Jordan Petaia runs with the ball under his right arm with his left arm outstretched towards two men in white shirts
Jordan Petaia has been named in the centres by Wallabies selectors.(AP: Aaron Favila)

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said he was confident the four uncapped players would acquit themselves well against the All Blacks despite their inexperience in the Test arena.

“It’s really exciting to be able to name four more debutants in the squad this week,” Rennie said.

“Tate and Fraser have had big Super Rugby seasons and have impressed in training over the past month.”

The Wallabies are coming off a 27-7 loss to New Zealand in Auckland earlier this month and need a win on Saturday night to have any chance of reclaiming the Bledisloe Cup, which the All Blacks have held since 2003.

“We know New Zealand will pose another tough challenge but we’ve prepared well and will be ready to go on Saturday night,” Rennie said.

The Tri Nations tournament will be contested in Australia in place of the Rugby Championship, which could not go ahead in its four-nation format following the withdrawal of South Africa earlier this month.

AAP/ABC



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