Underlining his faith in Australia’s generation next, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will blood an eighth Test debutant on Saturday night.
Lachie Swinton will start in the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup clash of the year against the All Blacks in Brisbane, relegating his NSW Waratahs teammate Ned Hanigan to the bench.
The blindside flanker will form a dynamic Wallabies back row with fellow emerging star Harry Wilson and 102-Test skipper Michael Hooper.
Barring a training injury, the 22-year-old will be the latest young talent Rennie has introduced to the international arena in 2020.
Wilson, fellow back-rower Fraser McReight and exciting backs Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Irae Simone, Noah Lolesio and Tate McDermott have already made their Test debuts in the Bledisloe Cup cauldron this year.
Daugunu and Simone, though, are under pressure to retain their spots in the Wallabies’ starting XV, with utility ace Reece Hodge pressing hard for a run-on berth.
The goalkicking Hodge could be named on the wing or in the centres or five-eighth when Rennie names his full match-day 23 later on Thursday.
After a draw and two defeats in the opening three matches, the Wallabies are hoping to avoid a sixth series whitewash in the past decade at the hands of the All Blacks.
Henry
Guest
Hopefully he won't giveth away too many penalties by being recklessly mongrel.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
And get carded.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Bloody hope so AH we surely need some mongrel in the pack. I reckon what Swinton giveth - Simmons taketh away!!!!
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
It could be his making...!
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
Why would Rennie have any allegiance to the Waratahs...he’s a kiwi
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
Not that it really matters but yes, with a draw the whitewash is no longer possible.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Would have really liked Stander to be given a run at some point. He really has a crack!
Stu
Roar Rookie
Will we ever field a huge back row, rather than ruck-shy small guys?
Paddy
Guest
He does not wear sky blue. Valentini Sio Samu Neville Kurindrani and Muirhead have been given a raw deal from Rennie.How does Ned keep a spot? Scratching my head with that one.
CO)))DA
Roar Rookie
Happy to see Swinton get a chance and Rennie prepared to use players in the wider squad. Swinton is one of those players that, if you're not a Sydney University or Waratahs fan, you love to hate - he is an effective enforcer and loves a bit of niggle. If he can channel these attributes into a power game in attack and defence, then he could provide the much needed grunt that the Wallabies forward pack have been lacking. I do however agree with others on here that Pete Samu and Rob Valetini seemed to have been cast aside very quickly, without doing too much wrong. Perhaps Samu hasn't got the size that DR wants in a blindside, but I don't see why Valetini hasn't been given another chance against the All Blacks.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Starting to look a bit blue. :laughing:
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
I can already picture Dane Coles getting under his skin… . Edit: Never mind, he’s not playing!
Richie
Roar Rookie
Yes Hugh. And let’s chuck Samu in as well. :thumbup:
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Great to see Swinton being thrown in - this year is the year to try a few things and see how it goes. Just wish we had dominate locks. Hope Simone retains his spot with whoever is playing 10 and to add to my bias would like to see Tom Wright get a run.
moondoggie
Roar Rookie
Jeez, what has Pete Samu got to do to get a game? Swinton is a hot head penalty magnet. We need rugby smarts. Why not look to the team who performed the best so far this year...ie the pack from Wellington?
Targa
Roar Rookie
Surely since they've got a draw it can't be a whitewash!?!
Hoy
Roar Guru
Whilst I am no fan of chopping and changing for no reason, this will have some effect for sure, one way or another... I do have grave concerns over this blokes tackle technique, and his eagerness to assert himself... I hope he can reign it in, and have a positive effect.
Obes
Guest
This has got to be a gee up ? Swinton ? He wont last 20 mins,The guy is a thug and is lazy.Is Scott Johnson selecting the team? Hanigan Hooper Simmons and Swinton in the same 23? Why ?!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I suspect perhaps Philip and Simmons are the 80 minute players. Hanigan will be used as a back row sub unless there's a 2nd row injury.
Tom
Guest
Could be a long four years. Shows how much Australia needs the Super Rugby to find these players out before thrown into a full on test match. Graham Lowe's statement many years ago. These players can get you to a grand final but only a very few can win one for you and test matches are a higher level. Bit sad with Renae using the world cup excuse so soon sacrificing a proud tradition. Two world cups and a dominant Bledisloe team for pretty much a decade. Main reason he's here is the money. Where at the moment foster has come through the system and against a mainly inexperienced newish side is acheiving. Rugby is a profession nowadays so good luck to them. A win on Saturday would say it's working another big loss. dingo Raelene Mitchell the list goes on. Theirs got to be plenty of locals willing to step up. Look at Shute sheild. Good result great support.