Fly-Haf Tom Linagh will follow his father, Walbai Great Michael, when he starts for Australia in the first Test against British and Irish Lions on Saturday.
In the absence of regular starter Noah Lolsio, 22 -year -old Linagh will win his fourth hat at Suncorp Stadium, at number 10, Michael did the 1989 series against Lions.
With the disappearance of the major forward Rob Valletini with a calf problem, Champion D Crespon made his debut with Harry Wilson’s captaincy from number eight.
Joseph-Ukuso Suali, 21-year-old cross-cod superstar, the middle lane ekitau in the midfield, but there is no place in the squad for the huge lock Will Scalton.
Australia’s head coach Joe Schmid said, “The entire squad has worked hard as a group, which is ready for a big challenge against an in-form Lions team.”
Loose-Hed Prop Angus Bell is held back to the bench, with experienced James Slipper, while Scalton absent, Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are in the second line.
Schmid says that both Vletini and Scalton were close to selection as they recover from their calf injuries.
He said, “They were right on the shore, if it was the last game of the series, they might have played, but you could not try and push them,” they explained.
Schmid has made four changes from the initial XV, which lagged Fiji back 21–18 earlier this month, after which the boss of Australia carried out the possibility of defeating Lions in a three-prone series.
Schmidt said at that time, “We did not expect for people that we are hoping that we are going to bowl in Brisbane and knocking on the lions.”
