Debutant named in overhauled Wallabies side for Uruguay clash

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named Jordan Petaia to make his test debut in Saturday’s clash with Uruguay in Oita, with the boom youngster amongst 13 changes to the starting side.

Petaia will become Wallaby 930 when he runs out against Uruguay, and the first Australian to make his test debut at a Rugby World Cup since Berrick Barnes in 2007.

The 19-year old will be surrounded by plenty of experience, though, 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.

49 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.

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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.

Saturday's clash kicks off at 2:15pm local time.

Wallabies team to play Uruguay:

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)

- Rugby Australia

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