Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt admitted he was “apprehensive” Thursday after naming rookie Declan Meredith as his starting fly-half against France with Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson both ruled out with injuries. The 27-year-old ACT Brumbies playmaker was called into the Australia squad for the first time before the Nations Championship opener against Ireland last week.
He failed to make the Wallabies bench, but now finds himself as the leading No.10 for Saturday’s encounter in Brisbane, with Gordon and Donaldson, who both played last week, sidelined by calf strains.
“It’s a big ask to suddenly be thrust into it,” Schmidt said.
“Declan’s had 10 days with us effectively, so he’s had a chance to build a bit of confidence and hopefully to add a bit of continuity. “I’m excited, but I’m always apprehensive about anyone coming in and having to run the game. “We’ve had so many changes at (fly-half), it’s just been really hard to get consistency.” Gordon will also miss the July 18 clash with Italy. The long-term prognosis for Donaldson, who fluffed two crucial late penalties in their demoralising 33-31 defeat to the Irish in Sydney, remains unclear.
Meredith will have the familiar face of Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan at scrum-half against a French side smarting from losing 34-32 to New Zealand in Christchurch in their Nations Championship opener.
He is one of two changes to the XV with Jock Campbell, who started his first Test in four years last week, moving to the bench essentially as cover for Meredith. Tom Wright takes his place at fullback. Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch are again on the wings with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the centres. Four Queensland Reds players start in the pack — Josh Nasser at hooker, Josh Canham at lock, Fraser McReight at openside flanker and skipper Harry Wilson at No.8. Nasser is joined by experienced props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row, with Canham linking with Jeremy Williams as the locks. Rob Valetini is the blindside flanker in what is a familiar back-row trio alongside McReight and Wilson.