Shock debutant named as the Wallabies spring selection shock for first Test against the Lions

The Wallabies have sprung a selection shock with a starting debut against the British & Irish Lions reward after the staggering rise of a Western Force powerhouse.

The Wallabies are set to take one of the biggest selection gambles in history and throw a Test debut to Nick Champion de Crespigny against the British & Irish Lions on Saturday.

The rugged Western Force backrower is poised to earn a start in the backrow alongside Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson, in the biggest rugby match staged in Australia since the 2013 Lions tour.

With 40,000 Lions fans descending upon Brisbane this week for the opening Test at Suncorp Stadium, de Crespigny’s stunning elevation for his Test debut rivals that of James O’Connor being picked to start at No. 10 for the first time at international level 12 years ago, and the selection of Tom Lynagh as the starting five-eighth for this game.

James O’Connor, who has returned to the Wallabies set-up, started at No.10 at international level for the first time against the Lions 12 years ago. Picture: Getty Images

Lynagh will mirror his father Michael, who started against the Lions in 1989, having never started a Test match before.

And de Crespigny, who spent three seasons playing for French club Castres after failing to get a Super Rugby contract, before returning to join the Force this year, is now on track to become the latest Wallaby following injury to back-to-back John Eales medallist Rob Valetini.

A knock to hooker Dave Porecki in the game against Fiji a fortnight ago is set to see Matt Faessler return as the starting No.2.

But the biggest shock is de Crespigny’s call-up. The 29-year-old, who had an outstanding season for the Force, is set to edge out Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson for the crucial blindside flanker role.

His aggression in general play, and ferocity at the breakdown, will be keys against a Lions side intent on playing at a frenetic pace.

Nicholas Champion de Crespigny has been rewarded after he put together a blistering campaign for the Force. Picture: Getty Images

De Crespigny’s Force teammate Jeremy Williams said earlier this week he is up to the challenge.

“Definitely, even just watching him come back from France and come into the Force set up, I think he’s been awesome for our group and really physical on the field and he really loves that game,” Williams said.

“Loves that part of the game. Just getting up in people’s faces and tackling him. So, if he got his opportunity to go out there, I’m sure he’d thrive and he’d love it and play outstandingly.”

De Crespigny, McReight and Wilson will be tasked with dominating a Lions backrow that will likely feature Englishmen Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry, and Ireland’s hardman Jack Conan.

Chessum, usually a lock, will provide additional lineout support and the tourists are sure to target Faessler’s throws.

The Lions are set to put out an imposing tight five of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadgh Furlong, Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy.

British & Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje forms part of an imposing tight five. Picture: Getty Images

Their backline will be anchored by halves Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell, the back three is tipped to be wingers James Lowe and Tommy Freeman with Hugo Keenan at fullback, while Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu are battling for the No. 12 jersey to join outside centre Huw Jones.

Wales’ Jac Morgan is under major consideration for the openside flanker role, although the UK media is predicting Curry will win the race.

The Lions have already boasted about their plans to become the greatest touring team of all time by winning this series 3-0 – no modern Lions team has achieved the feat, with the last sweep happening in 1904 in Australia.

And Sheehan revealed the team’s ruthless attitude to their pursuit, saying winning was far more important than mingling with the thousands of fans who are in Australia to watch them.

“I think the best way to connect with them is to give them a win,” Sheehan said.

“Performance is the way to do that, yeah we can give them a cheer and a clap after the game but ultimately that’s not what they came for, they came for a good game of rugby.

“If we do that, they’ll feel part of it.

“That’s a goal of ours, to make sure if we have a big crowd on Saturday which we probably will, that we bring them into the game and make it feel almost like a 50/50 game that could be anywhere in the world.

“But I still think it’s down to what we put out on the pitch, that’s how you get the crowd in behind you.”

Sheehan said it doesn’t matter whether the 3-0 boast would give added motivation to the Wallabies because they have a clear ambition.

“It gives you a responsibility to go out and do it,” Sheehan said.

“No one is going to shy away from it, our aim is a Test series win and I don’t think anyone should be afraid of saying it.

“At the end of the day, everyone knows it.

“I don’t think any team really goes in saying ‘oh yeah, one game at a time’, ‘hopefully we’ll win the next one, the next one’ … there’s a clear game plan to have a dominant series and win.

“It’s the way I was brought up in my career, to be very clear in what you want out of a season or a campaign and then you have to attack it. There’s a bit of a responsibility on you, you’ve said it out loud so you have to go do it.”

Originally published as Shock debutant named as the Wallabies spring selection shock for first Test against the Lions