Australia 'A' v Portugal - Teams
SPOTLIGHT: Australia ‘A’ Head Coach Jason Gilmore has confirmed his side to face Portugal at Stade Jules-Ladoumègue in Massy, south of Paris, on Saturday.
The clash against one of the Wallabies’ World Cup Group C opponents shapes as a valuable opportunity for a host of Australian players, who will be hoping for a call-up to the showpiece event through September and October.
For the Portuguese side, the hit-out against Australia ‘A’ will be their final warm-up match ahead of their opening World Cup fixture against Wales on 16 September.
Gilmore has named an Australia ‘A’ backline boasting 178 Wallabies caps of experience courtesy of veteran flyhalf Bernard Foley, centres James O’Connor and Filipo Daugunu, and fullback Tom Wright.
They are joined by uncapped wings Dylan Pietsch and Lachlan Anderson, and Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan, who has been appointed captain.
Ryan’s brother Lachlan Lonergan will start at hooker alongside props Tom Lambert and Sam Talakai, while 34-year-old veteran Cadeyrn Neville will link up with 22-year-old rising star Josh Canham in the second row.
Lachlan Swinton, Pete Samu and Seru Uru form a powerful back row combination to start against Os Lobos.
Gilmore will be looking for impact from his capped finishers – hooker Folau Fainga’a, prop Matt Gibbon, lock Darcy Swain, loose forward Ned Hanigan and centre Hunter Paisami.
Fellow finishers Rhys Van Nek, James Tuttle and Josh Flook will also have an opportunity to press their claims.
Teams:
Australia ‘A’: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Lachlan Anderson, 13 Filipo Daugunu, 12 James O’Connor, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Seru Uru, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Tom Lambert.
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Rhys Van Nek, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Hunter Paisami, 23 Josh Flook
Portugal: TBC
Date: Saturday, August 26
Venue: Stade Jules-Ladoumègue, Massy
Kick-off: 20.00 (18.00 GMT; 19.00 Portugal time; 4.00 Australia time, Sunday August 27)
Referee: TBC
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TBC
