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The Wallabies have announced their team to take on the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne, bringing Kurtley Beale into fullback while Robbie Deans sticking with James O’Connor in the fly-half position.
In one of his biggest selection calls in his six-season tenure as Australia’s coach, Robbie Deans on Thursday kept faith with O’Connor despite a disappointing playmaking game in just his second Test at No.10 last weekend.
Deans made two injury-forced changes to the starting side which lost 23-21 at Suncorp Stadium with Kurtley Beale and Joe Tomane replacing fullback Berrick Barnes and winger Digby Ioane respectively.
There’s also two changes on the bench with NSW Waratahs centre Rob Horne coming in for Pat McCabe (neck) and lanky Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg named to potentially make his Test debut as a reserve.
But there was no place for 110-Test great Smith, who was recalled to the 31-man squad after the thrilling first Test loss.
Queensland youngster Liam Gill, who was influential at the breakdown for the last 32 minutes off the bench, remains as the openside back-up to Michael Hooper.
In a major relief for Deans, centres Christian Lealiifano (concussion) and Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder) have overcome heavy knocks to line up.
Deans admitted O’Connor endured a difficult night in the series opener and could have moved Beale into five-eighth where he impressed for the last seven Tests of 2012.
But the Melbourne Rebels utility, and Australia’s attacking plans, were undermined by the first-minute knockout of Lealiifano, who was to take plenty of the playmaking duties.
For the first time in the Wallabies’ 114-year Test history, Australia will boast a front row who all sport 50 caps as tighthead Ben Alexander will notch his half-century of Tests.
Alexanader is the fourth prop to make the milestone, joining Al Baxter (69), current loosehead Benn Robinson (57) and Ewen McKenzie (51).
Hooker Stephen Moore is already the most capped Australian hooker with 77 caps.
The Wallabies team to play the British and Irish Lions in the second Test on Saturday at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne (kick-off: 8.05pm AEST, 11.05am UKST):
15. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)
14. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
12. Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)
11. Joe Tomane (Brumbies)
10. James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
7. Michael Hooper (Brumbies)
6. Ben Mowen (Brumbies)
5. James Horwill (Queensland Reds, captain)
4. Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs)
3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Run on Reserves:
16. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
18. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
19. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
20. Liam Gill (Queensland Reds)
21. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)
22. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
23. Jesse Mogg (Brumbies)
-with AAP
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