Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named St.George Queensland Reds star Jordan Petaia to make his Test debut in Saturday’s clash with Uruguay in Oita.
Petaia is among 13 changes to the starting side and will become Wallaby 930 when he runs out against Uruguay.
He will also become the first Wallaby to make his Test debut at a Rugby World Cup since fellow Queenslander Berrick Barnes in 2007.
The 19-year old is one-of-four Reds players in the 23 with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto starting at blindside flanker, while Taniela Tupou and James O'Connor have both been named on the bench.
Petaia will be surrounded by plenty of experience with nearly 1200 Test caps making up the match day 23, including 684 Tests in the starting side and a staggering 511 amongst the reserves.
Forty-nine of those caps belong to centre Matt To’omua who is in line to bring up his 50th Test appearance when he runs out on Saturday.
Veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper has shifted to the reserves and if the 35-year old gets a chance against Uruguay, he will become the equal sixth-most capped player in Rugby World Cup history and he’s also edging closer (12) to Bryan Habana’s all-time record of 15 tries.
Saturday will also mark the first-ever time that Australia will wear their Indigenous alternate strip at a Rugby World Cup, after debuting the popular jersey against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2017.
The Dennis Goulding designed jersey recognises and celebrates the impact and contribution of the 14 Indigenous Australians who have played for the Wallabies in Test history.
Australia and Uruguay have met only once before at a Rugby World Cup with their first and only clash coming at the 2015 edition, where the Wallabies prevailed 65-3 in Birmingham.
Following the Uruguay clash, the Wallabies will next take on Georgia in Shizouka on the October 11 in their final game of Pool D. The two highest-ranked teams in the Pool will advance to the Quarter Finals.
Foxtel will showcase every Rugby World Cup game LIVE across two dedicated channels with no ad-breaks during play and in 4K Ultra High Definition. All games will also be streamed LIVE and On Demand on Kayo Sports.
Ten of the biggest matches from the 2019 Rugby World Cup will air LIVE and free on Network 10, WIN Network and tenplay.com.au, including every Australia match right up to and including the Final.
Wallabies team to play Uruguay at Oita Stadium, Oita on Saturday 5 October, 2.15pm JST
1. James Slipper (93 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (11 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (35 Tests)
4. Rob Simmons (98 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (36 Tests)
6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (18 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (97 Tests)
8. Jack Dempsey (12 Tests)
9. Nic White (28 Tests)
10. Christian Lealiifano (23 Tests)
11. Jordan Petaia*
12. Matt To’omua (49 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (60 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (35 Tests)
15. Kurtley Beale (89 Tests)
Reserves
16. Jordan Uelese (6 Tests)
17. Sekope Kepu (108 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (16 Tests)
19. Rory Arnold (24 Tests)
20. David Pocock (80 Tests)
21. Will Genia (107 Tests)
22. James O’Connor (50 Tests)
23. Adam Ashley-Cooper (120 Tests)
*denotes uncapped
2019 Rugby World Cup
Wallabies 39 v Fiji 21 at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan, Saturday 21 September at 2.45pm AEST
Wallabies 25 v 29 Wales at Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Sunday 29 September at 5.45pm AEST
Wallabies v Uruguay at Oita Bank Dome, Oita, Saturday 5 October at 3.15pm AEST
Wallabies v Georgia at Shizuoka Stadium, Shizuoka, Friday 11 October at 9.15pm AEST
