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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika bit the bullet to throw Sean McMahon into the Twickenham World Cup cauldron against Wales early Sunday morning AEDT.
The 21-year-old wrecking ball will take over the No.7 hot spot with Michael Hooper suspended for a week for foul play.
A less courageous coach would have switched David Pocock from No.8 to his more accustomed No.7 role, and selected the more experienced Ben McCalman at No.8.
Wales would have been happy with the latter alternative. Now they have to face McMahon who will give the men in scarlet hell, while Pocock will continue on his merry way towards being named man of the tournament.
Surprisingly, lock Rob Simmons has been dropped for Dean Mumm, which in the cold light of day is six of one, and half a dozen of the other.
Mumm has vastly improved since his previous stint with the Waratahs.
When he left for overseas three years ago, there was great rejoicing among Waratahs’ supporters – Mumm wasn’t on the average fan’s Christmas card list.
But he’s returned a quality international who will serve the Wallabies well at the weekend in a game they must win to avoid the Springboks and All Blacks in the quarters and semis.
In other selections, Drew Mitchell replaces the injured Rob Horne on the left wing. Cheika must have been tempted to play Kurtley Beale after his performance against England last week, taking over in the 10th minute when Horne popped his shoulder.
Beale was brilliant in setting up Bernard Foley’s two tries, always looking dangerous in attack, and defending well. He thrives on the big stage.
Maybe Cheika’s holding Beale back as an insurance policy in case one of the two doubtfuls – fullback Israel Folau (ankle), and inside centre Matt Giteau (ribs) – don’t last the journey.
But make no mistake, Beale will play a major role in downing the Welsh.
And in the Twickenham grandstand will be Hooper, feeling “gutted” as he’s said often since his suspension. All Hooper has to do is look on the mirror, and give himself an uppercut.
Seven times he’s been yellow carded or cited for either being over aggressive or plain bloody stupid. The cleanout of England’s Mike Brown last week was a major dose of the latter.
There’s no doubting Hooper’s ability, but he’s becoming a liability.
Hopefully the sobering thought of watching from the stand will make him realise he’s far more value to the Wallabies as a player than a spectator.
The squad to beat Wales:
1 – Scott Sio (13 caps)
2 – Stephen Moore (c) (98)
3 – Sekope Kepu (59)
4 – Kane Douglas (19)
5 – Dean Mumm (40)
6 – Scott Fardy (26)
7 – Sean McMahon (5)
8 – David Pocock (vc) (52)
9 – Will Genia (62)
10 – Bernard Foley (23)
11 – Drew Mitchell (66)
12 – Matt Giteau (98)
13 – Tevita Kuridrani (27)
14 – Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc) (110)
15 – Israel Folau (35)
16 – Tatafu Polota-Nau (57)
17 – James Slipper (70)
18 – Greg Holmes (20)
19 – Rob Simmons (56)
20 – Ben McCalman (43)
21 – Nick Phipps (35)
22 – Matt Toomua (28)
23 – Kurtley Beale (56)