A RAW-boned rookie with just 47 minutes' Test experience shapes as Robbie Deans' saviour in Hong Kong after more wounded troops joined Australia's casualty list on Thursday.

Back-row colt Richard Brown, who made his Test debut against New Zealand in Brisbane only a month ago, is set to move into the starting side to meet New Zealand on November 1 following injuries to middle-row pair Hugh McMeniman (ankle ligaments) and Peter Kimlin (quadricep).

The duo are expected to miss the first two Tests on tour, and with Wycliff Palu (knee) also in doubt and Rocky Elsom gone, Brown could play either No.6 or No.8 in the fourth and last Bledisloe showdown.

Fittingly nicknamed "Brown Dog", the 24-year-old showed on debut he had plenty of the mongrel Deans likes in his forwards and can go some way to replacing the abrasive play of Elsom and McMeniman.

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