Western Force back Zac Lomax will make his senior Australian debut when he starts at outside centre for Australia A against the USA in New Jersey on Saturday morning AEDT.
Lomax, who shifted to the XV-man game from the NRL in March this year, will partner Kadin Prichard in the midfield.
There’s a number of further rotations to the side that defeated the Eagles 61-12 in Nashville last weekend with the playmakers shifting roles, with Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips earning starts, while Nathan Hastie and Tane Edmed are the replacements.
Wallabies winger Corey Toole has been injected on the edge, to form a back three alongside fellow Olympian Lachie Anderson and fullback Mac Grealy.
Wallabies back rower Luke Reimer will see his first game time of the Tour, selected at openside flanker in a loose forward trio that consists of Will Harris and last weekend’s man of the match Joe Brial.
The front row is an all-Queensland affair with Tom Lambert named at loosehead prop, with Matt Faessler to captain at hooker and Zane Nonggorr the tighthead. Lambert will join the Wallabies squad in the UK following the match.
Former Australia U20s captain Toby Macpherson will start in the second row alongside club teammate and experienced Test player Nick Frost.
The replacement front row is all-new from Nashville with Wallabies hooker Lachlan Lonergan set to combine with young prospects Lington Ieli and Edwin Langi.
Eamon Doyle and Rory Scott are the remaining forward cover with Queensland’s cult hero Tim Ryan finalising the matchday 23.
The match will be broadcast live on Stan Sport and is the second of two matches against the Eagles in the USA.
Australia A Head Coach Stephen Larkham said: “This tour has required a whole squad effort and it’s pleasing for everyone to earn their opportunity to perform in the gold jersey.
“The Eagles are a proud team we are expecting a strong response this week, which means we must be at our best to ensure we reach our own expectations and finish the tour on a positive note.”
- Tom Lambert (Queensland Reds – West Harbour Juniors)
- Matt Faessler (c) (Queensland Reds – USQ Saints)
- Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds – Gold Coast Eagles)
- Nick Frost (ACT Brumbies – Hornsby Lions)
- Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies – Goondiwindi Junior Emus)
- Will Harris (Western Force – Norths Pirates)
- Luke Reimer (NSW Waratahs - Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
- Joe Brial (Queensland Reds - Easts (Sydney))
- Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds – Springfield Hawks)
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Western Force – Gunnedah Red Devils)
- Lachie Anderson (Queensland Reds - Dural Rugby Club)
- Kadin Pritchard (ACT Brumbies – Springfield Hawks)
- Zac Lomax (Western Force – Temora Tuskers)
- Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies – Wagga Crows)
- Mac Grealy (Western Force – Souths Kookaburras Toowoomba) Substitutes
- Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies - Tuggeranong Vikings)
- Lington Ieli (ACT Brumbies - Brisbane Boys’ College)
- Edwin Langi (NSW Waratahs – Drummoyne Dirty Reds)
- Eamon Doyle (NSW Waratahs - Woonona Shamrocks)
- Rory Scott (ACT Brumbies - Canberra Royals)
- Nathan Hastie (Western Force – Wanneroo Rugby Club)
- Tane Edmed (ACT Brumbies – West Harbour Juniors)
- Tim Ryan (Queensland Reds – Brothers Rugby)
Australia A 61 defeated USA Eagles 12 on Saturday 24 October at Geodis Park Stadium, Nashville
Australia A v USA Eagles, 11:00 am AEDT on Saturday 31 October at Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey.
