St.George Queensland Reds loose forward Liam Gill stands poised to make his Test debut after today being named on the Wallabies bench for tomorrow night’s Test against the All Blacks in Rugby Championship in Auckland.
This year’s Australian Under-20 captain will become the 861st player to have represented Australia in Tests should he be inserted into the game.
Gill is one of four forwards named, alongside the three backs, who include last week’s starting players, inside centre Anthony Fainga’a and fullback Kurtley Beale.
Hooker Tatafu Polota Nau has been ruled out after failing to overcome the discomfort provided by deep-seated bruising at today’s Captain’s Run at Eden Park.
His place has been taken by Queensland Reds hooker Saia Faingaa, who joins his twin brother Anthony on the bench.
The full Wallabies line-up to play New Zealand in the second Test of Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park in Auckland tomorrow night (kick-off: 7.35pm NZ time, 5.35pm AEST) is:
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
14. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
13. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
12. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds, captain)
8. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)
7. Michael Hooper (Brumbies)
6. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs)
3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Run On Reserves:
16. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
18. Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)
19. Liam Gill (Queensland Reds)
20. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)
21. Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
22. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)