Photo: Dan Peled/Photosport Ltd 2021
22-year-old Rebels first-five Carter Gordon will start in Wallaby gold for the first time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against the All Blacks on Saturday night.
Gordon will partner fellow Sunshine Coast product and halfback Tate McDermott in what will be the first Test at the MCG since 2007.
It's one of a number of changes to the side, with another Queenslander, Jordan Petaia returning to the team at centre, having fully recovered from a wrist injury to partner Samu Kerevi in the midfield.
Andrew Kellaway will also play his first Test of the year at fullback alongside Marika Koroibete and Mark Nawaqanitawase who have been named on the wings, with the Wallabies set to wear their First Nations jersey for the first time in Melbourne this weekend.
Angus Bell's strong performance as a finisher against Argentina in Sydney a fortnight ago has seen him change roles with James Slipper, linking up with hooker David Porecki and tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa who have started both games so far this Test season.
Lock Nick Frost returns to the second row to partner Will Skelton, while Tom Hooper returns from shoulder injury to start at openside flanker in a new look loose forward trio that features Jed Holloway at blindside flanker and Rob Valetini at number eight.
Melbourne's own Jordan Uelese will again be the finishing hooker with captain and loosehead prop James Slipper to bring experience from the bench.
Taniela Tupou will also make his return to the Test arena as the finishing tighthead prop after a successful return from a ruptured Achilles for Australia A against Tonga.
Andrew Kellaway will play his first Test of the year at fullback against the All Blacks. Photo: Dan Peled/Photosport Ltd 2021
Richie Arnold will bring impact at lock, while Rob Leota will again play in front of his home town, named as the back up loose forward.
The experience of Nic White and Quade Cooper will be called upon as the reserve playmakers, while the Izaia Perese rounds out the matchday 23 in what will be his first Test of 2023.
The Wallabies hold a 2-1 winning record over New Zealand at the venue and are expecting a crowd of 80,000 on Saturday night.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones said they are a team that wants to make Australia proud and Saturday night is a great opportunity to light up the MCG.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has named a young Wallabies side to take on the All Blacks at the MCG. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"A young starting 15 and vibrant, experienced finishers will give us the 80 minutes we want.
"Wallaby Rugby versus New Zealand Rugby, it's the most important game of the year."
Wallabies team:
1. Angus Bell (21 Tests)
2. David Porecki (12 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (acting captain) (66 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (10 Tests)
5. Will Skelton (26 Tests)
6. Jed Holloway (11 Tests)
7. Tom Hooper (1 Test)
8. Rob Valetini (32 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (23 Tests)
10. Carter Gordon (2 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (53 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (43 Tests)
13. Jordan Petaia (25 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (4 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (21 Tests)
Reserves:
16. Jordan Uelese (17 Tests)
17. James Slipper (129 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (47 Tests)
19. Richie Arnold (2 Tests)
20. Rob Leota (14 Tests)
21. Nic White (61 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (78 Tests)
23. Izaia Perese (3 Tests)
