O'Connor wins race for No. 10 as Rennie bloods three Reds rookies
By Sam Phillips and Tom Decent
October 8, 2020 — 3.02pm
From Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will throw uncapped Queensland Reds trio Harry Wilson, Filipo Daugunu and Hunter Paisami straight into the Bledisloe Cup furnace.
The Herald can reveal the trio are set to start against the All Blacks in Wellington on Sunday as a reward for their superb Super Rugby AU seasons.
And star Brumbies prospect Noah Lolesio may well join the three run-on debutants, having been named on the bench.
Wilson, 20, was the standout No.8 in Australia during the domestic season. His metre-eating carries and incredibly skilful offload game were one of the focal points of the attack of Reds coach Brad Thorn.
Daugunu has been the Reds' highlight machine in recent years.
The Fijian flyer – who gave up his dreams of becoming Fijian soccer's top goalkeeper just five years ago – brings a similar level of finishing ability to the fold as fellow Fijian Marika Koroibete, who will start on the other wing.
But he is also capable of some absurd playmaking – all while running at top speed – in open play.
Paisami is the unknown quantity of the trio. The 22-year-old was sleeping in his agent's office less than 18 months ago, having been dumped by the Melbourne Rebels. The Reds handed him a lifeline and he burst onto the scene this year while Jordan Petaia nursed injuries.
Paisami's explosive carries and big hits in defence will prove invaluable outside Rennie's two-playmaker, 10-12 combination.
Paisami's inclusion in Rennie's starting XV has in part come about due to the absence of Petaia. The Wallabies have insisted for weeks the star centre would be available but sources told the Herald he had not spent enough time on the training paddock to be considered for selection.
Wallabies defence coach Matt Taylor flagged the absence of Petaia on Wednesday.
"Sometimes that is to do with training times and combinations and time on ground and things like that," Taylor said.
Lolesio was considered a chance of beating James O'Connor to the prized No.10 jersey but Rennie opted to ease the 20-year-old into the Test arena.
O'Connor will start alongside Nic White in the halves, as Rennie opts for experience in key positions.
Matt To'omua will line up inside Paisami in the centres.
Tom Banks has won the race for the No.15 jersey, joining Daugunu and Koroibete in the back three.
Up front, James Slipper has earned first crack at loosehead prop. He will pack down alongside Folau Fainga'a and Reds superstar Taniela Tupou.
It was made clear from the first few weeks of Wallabies camp that Rennie viewed Lukhan Salakaia-Loto as a lock and he has been named alongside Matt Philip.
Pete Samu joins captain Michael Hooper and Wilson in the back row.
Lolesio has been named on the bench alongside fellow ACT star Rob Valetini, whose only Test came against Samoa before last year's World Cup.
"There are a lot of players who are here who have put their hands up in terms of selection," Taylor said. "It’s good that is the case because whenever you select a squad, you want guys putting their hand up.
"I certainly think that most of the squad have put themselves in a position to be selected and we’ve just got to work on the best team that we think has the ability to win this Test match.
"There might be a few surprises in terms of what people think but probably not surprises to us in terms of how they’ve operated or performed in the environment."
Wallabies' starting XV:
1. James Slipper,
2. Folau Fainga'a,
3. Taniela Tupou,
4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto,
5. Matt Philip,
6. Pete Samu,
7. Michael Hooper,
8. Harry Wilson,
9. Nic White,
10. James O'Connor,
11. Marika Koroibete,
12. Matt To'omua,
13. Hunter Paisami,
14. Filipo Daugunu,
15. Tom Banks.
