McMahon on Wallaby debut
Sean McMahon capped a remarkable year with selection in the Australian team to take on Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika remained consistent with the starting XV – retaining the bulk of the side that lost narrowly to the All Blacks last month.
The changes see the inclusion of Ben McCalman and debutant McMahon – for the injured Scott Higginbotham and Scott Fardy.
McMahon's selection caps off a remarkable year for the 20-year-old Melbourne Rebels back row forward – in which he was also awarded the Super Rugby Rookie of the Year; NRC Player of the Year and Australian Under-20 Player of the Year.
"Going into the Barbarians match [at Twickenham last week] it was made clear that players had an opportunity to push their way into the Test team with a strong performance," Cheika said.
"Sean made the most of his opportunity and brought great work-rate and physicality to our game.
"This selection also recognises the outstanding year he has had at all levels of the game, and he thoroughly deserves the chance to debut for Australia."
McMahon is one of two uncapped players chosen in the team, with Western Force prop Tetera Faulkner earning a spot on an extended nine-man bench.
Faulkner, 26, is a former Australian Schoolboy, Under-19 and Under-20 representative who has earned 29 Super Rugby caps since debuting for the Western Force in 2011, and has the unique ability to be able to play on both sides of the scrum.
Cheika has again chosen an extended bench which includes hooker James Hanson; props Faulkner and Ben Alexander; locks James Horwill and Will Skelton; back row forward Matt Hodgson; scrumhalf Will Genia; flyhalf Quade Cooper; and wing Rob Horne.
One player will be omitted from the bench in the lead-up to gameday.
Cheika said the team was looking forward to their first Test match of the year-end tour.
"I've been really pleased with attitude and commitment of the team and by how they have embraced a new environment and way of doing things," he said.
"Everyone has worked really hard on preparing themselves in the best possible way, and we're all excited about the opportunity to represent Australia and give our absolute best on Saturday."
The match is Australia's second of their five-game year-end tour, and will be followed by matches against France, Ireland and England.
The Wallabies commenced their year-end tour and the Michael Cheika era with an entertaining 40-36 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham last week.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps; 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements – from: James Hanson, Tetera Faulkner, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Will Skelton, Matt Hodgson, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne.
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT; 01.30 AEDT Sunday)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), JP Doyle (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
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