Champion De Crespigny handed surprise Wallabies debut in Lions Test
His elevation is an eye-opener, preferred to Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson.
Lynagh has also leapt up the pecking order and will add to his three caps, all as a substitute.
He will wear the No.10 shirt against the Lions 36 years after his World Cup-winning father Michael -- a long-time Wallabies fly-half and trusty kicker -- did the same on their 1989 visit.
Ben Donaldson was initially seen as favourite to be playmaker when Noah Lolesio was ruled out of the series after a nasty neck injury during Australia's lacklustre 21-18 win over Fiji this month -- the Wallabies' only warm-up Test.
While he made the bench, there was no room for veteran James O'Connor, who started all three Tests at fly-half when Australia last hosted the tourists in 2013.
Harry Wilson retains the captaincy and will pack down in the back row with Champion De Crespigny and Fraser McReight, tasked with dominating the breakdown.
'Massive challenge'
A head knock to Dave Porecki against Fiji opened the door to Matt Faessler's return as starting hooker in a front row alongside veterans Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper.
Slipper joins George Smith as the only players to feature for the Wallabies in back-to-back Lions series in the professional era.
With Will Skelton failing to shake off a calf injury, Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost retain their positions at lock.
Jake Gordon is the preferred scrum-half while Len Ikitau partners dynamic Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the centres.
Max Jorgensen is on the left wing, Harry Potter on the right and Tom Wright at fullback.
"The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what's going to be a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team," said Schmidt.
"With the short runway leading up to such a big Test match, we know we must adapt fast and improve quickly from the performance we had against Fiji recently.
"We're very much aware of the occasion and conscious of earning the support from the public through the effort they see on the field."
Australia are heavy underdogs against a Lions side who have won all five tour matches so far.
Lions head coach Andy Farrell names his team later Thursday.
Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Nick Champion de Grespigny; Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Daessler, James Slipper
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
13 minutes ago
- France 24
Wallabies' White out of short-lived retirement for South Africa Tests
The 35-year-old called time on his international career ahead of the final British and Irish Lions Test last weekend, which he started and was instrumental in helping Australia stun the tourists 22-12. But with an injury to Jake Gordon he has agreed to keep going, joining Tate McDermott and the uncapped Ryan Lonergan as coach Joe Schmidt's options at number nine. The gruelling three-Test series, won by the Lions 2-1 proved costly, with several injury-related absences for back-to-back Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town on August 16 and 23 respectively. They include prop Allan Alaalatoa, playmaker Tom Lynagh and wing Harry Potter, while hooker David Porecki announced his retirement this week. Lonergan is one of three uncapped players selected, alongside winger Corey Toole and new Queensland Reds recruit, the former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross. Reds trio Josh Flook, Josh Nasser and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are the remaining three new faces from the squad that took on the Lions. "It's pleasing to be able to keep the core of the group together, while also leaning on some depth and fresh bodies," said Schmidt. "We're very conscious of how difficult it is going to be, playing South Africa on their home turf over two consecutive weekends. "The group has made some positive steps throughout the start of the Test season but we all know there is a lot of hard work ahead of us." Forwards: Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson Backs: Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright © 2025 AFP
France 24
44 minutes ago
- France 24
Mo'unga to return to New Zealand in time for World Cup build-up
Mo'unga, who has played in 56 Tests for the All Blacks, left in 2023 to join Japan club Toshiba Brave Lupus. New Zealand Rugby said the 31-year-old Mo'unga had signed an 18-month contract with Super Rugby's Canterbury Crusaders from July 2026 to the end of 2027. "We're really pleased to have Richie re-committing to New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby," said New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson. "He's a proven talent with a strong track record of performing on the biggest stages. "His experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset in the environments he joins on his return to New Zealand." Mo'unga, who will be eligible to rejoin the national side in October 2026, won seven Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has repeatedly urged New Zealand Rugby bosses to make overseas-based players eligible for the national side. © 2025 AFP
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
Rugby Australia relaxes 'redundant' limit on foreign-based players
The so-called "Giteau Law" -- named after former fly-half Matt Giteau -- has for years put restrictions on overseas-based players being selected for the Wallabies. But with Test stars such as lock Will Skelton, flanker Tom Hooper and prop Taniela Tupou all joining an exodus to Europe, Rugby Australia has indicated the Giteau Law has been dropped. That gives head coach Joe Schmidt a free selection hand when he names his squad for the Rugby Championship this week. "Joe's got no impediment to select whoever he wants," Rugby Australia head of high performance Peter Horne said. "The Giteau Law, it's kind of redundant right," Horne added in comments reported by Schmidt is due to name his squad Thursday for the Rugby Championship which begins this month. Scrapping the rule would also benefit incoming head coach Les Kiss, who takes over the Wallabies next year tasked with preparing for the Rugby World Cup on home soil in 2027. The Giteau Law was adopted by the Wallabies in 2015, allowing overseas-based players to represent the side only if they had played 60 Tests for Australia and seven seasons of Super Rugby. It enabled players such as Matt Giteau, who was then starring for Toulon, to be picked for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Before then, Australia had a blanket ban on overseas-based players representing the Wallabies.
