Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named debutants Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Caleb Timu to start in the first Test against Ireland in Brisbane on Saturday.
Saturday’s clash will cap a remarkable rise for Paenga-Amosa who was playing for Southern Districts in Sydney’s Shute Shield this time last year.
Paenga-Amosa will become Wallaby 918 when he runs out alongside experienced front-row duo Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu, to bookend the scrum against the world number two side.
Timu’s journey to the Gold jersey has been a different one. The 24-year old returned to rugby in 2016 before suffering a serious knee injury in his first training session with the Queensland Reds.
Timu, who is set to become Wallaby 919, will partner David Pocock in the back-row in what will be his first Test since December 2016.
The Wallabies have named an otherwise settled starting fifteen that boasts 623 Test caps between them, and includes playmaking stars Will Genia, Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale.
Cheika has also confirmed a six-two bench for Saturday ‘s Test that includes back-row Peter Samu, in what could be his Test debut.
Allan Alaalatoa will revert to loosehead prop on the bench to allow room for tighthead sensation Taniela Tupou to potentially play his first Test on home soil.
Ireland have won three of the last four meetings between the two sides but the Wallabies were victorious at their last game at Suncorp Stadium, when they prevailed 22-15 in 2010.
The Ireland Series will be the first-ever three Test Series between the two nations as Ireland look to extend their 12-match unbeaten run.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Dane Haylett-Petty, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 David Pocock, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Lukhan Tui, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Reece Hodge
Date: Saturday, June 9
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 20:00 local (10:00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gaüzère (France), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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