SYDNEY - Fullback Drew Mitchell and winger Mark Gerrard will make their starting test debuts for Australia in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks.
Regular fullback Chris Latham was ruled out after a fitness test this morning and, with winger Wendell Sailor and first five-eighth Steve Larkham also
out injured, coach Eddie Jones was forced into a major backline reshuffle when he named his team for the Telstra Stadium match.
"Chris got through about 80 per cent of the session today, but his hamstring just isn't right, so we won't risk him," Jones said.
Jones expressed confidence in 21-year-old Mitchell's ability to handle the job at fullback.
"Drew Mitchell is a player who has really developed well since the start of the test season and brings with him plenty of enthusiasm.
"He was outstanding against the Junior All Blacks for Australia A in Canberra and Sydney, and then over the last three tests has gained some good experiences as a replacement."
As expected Matt Giteau takes over at first five-eighth from Larkham -- out for the season with a shoulder injury -- while Stirling Mortlock returns to the starting line-up to join Morgan Turinui in the centres.
In better news for the Wallabies, hooker Jeremy Paul has been included after some initial concerns about a neck and shoulder injury.
Al Baxter returns as the starting tighthead prop, pushing Matt Dunning back to the bench.
David Lyons, who missed the last test loss to South Africa with a virus, will start at No 8, with John Roe as blindside flanker as Jones resisted the temptation to start Phil Waugh at No 6.
In the reserves, experienced Wallabies Brendan Cannon and Elton Flatley have both been named in the 22 for the first time this year, with back-up hooker Stephen Moore making way for Cannon.
Winger Clyde Rathbone returns to the team from injury and is also on the bench.Team:
Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock, Morgan Turinui, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, George Gregan (captain), David Lyons, George Smith, John Roe, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Vickerman, Al Baxter, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young. Reserves: Brendan Cannon, Matt Dunning, Mark Chisholm, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker, Clyde Rathbone, Elton Flatley. 23rd Man: Rocky Elsom.
- AAP
