Injuries have decimated the Wallabies on the eve of the British and Irish Test series and prompted coach Joe Schmidt to take multiple gambles for the opening clash in Brisbane, including handing a debut to flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and a starting debut to five-eighth Tom Lynagh.
After key forwards Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Langi Gleeson were all ruled out with injury, Schmidt has named 28-year-old De Crespigny in the no.6 jersey for a high-pressured first Test at Suncorp Stadium.
The Western Force flanker has been a journeyman, and returned from four years in France late last year to try and fulfil his dream of playing for the Wallabies.
His chance has come but via a substantial loss for the Wallabies, with two-time John Eales medal winner Valetini unable to overcome a calf injury picked up in camp three weeks ago. Gleeson was his replacement in the Wallabies’ side who narrowly beat Fiji in Newcastle, but the in-form Waratah then picked up a hamstring strain during training.
Skelton was also left out after failing to overcome a calf injury, further removing some heft against a Lions pack that is likely to be stocked with big men, when named on Thursday afternoon.
Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano were named on the bench as middle-row cover, but there was no spot for struggling star prop Taniela Tupou, with veteran Tom Robertson preferred as the tighthead reserve.
Robertson, 30, hasn’t played for the Wallabies since the end of 2022, after suffering an ACL injury ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
James Slipper has been preferred to start at loosehead prop ahead of Angus Bell, and will become just the second Australian – and third player overall – to have played the Lions in two Test series since the 12-year cycle began.
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