Gordon and Petaia to debut against Italy in Padua Young guns Jake Gordon and Jordan Petaia are each set to make their Test debut for the Qantas Wallabies in their clash with Italy at Stadio Euganeo on Saturday in Padua, Italy.
Gordon will become Wallaby 925 with Petaia to be Wallaby 926, as well as the third-youngest player to ever represent Australia at Test level behind Brian Ford (18 years and 90 days) and James O’Connor (18 years and 126 days).
It’s been a rapid rise for Petaia who was only finishing high school this time last year before going on to star for the Queensland Reds in Vodafone Super Rugby.
He will line up alongside boyhood hero Israel Folau against Italy as Folau shifts back to fullback.
The backline re-shuffle also includes Test veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has impressed at training since joining the squad two weeks ago.
The 34-year old will run out for his 117th Test on Saturday and in doing so will become the third-most capped Australian of all time ahead of former Wallabies captain Nathan Sharpe.
Matt To’omua will wear the Wallabies number 10 for the first time in over five years with Bernard Foley shifting to inside centre and Kurtley Beale to the reserves.
Australia last played Italy in 2017 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with the Wallabies pulling away late to record at 40-27 victory.
The Wallabies last played in Padua ten years ago with Sekope Kepu, James O’Connor and Quade Cooper each making their Test debuts in the 30-20 win.
The Wallabies Spring Tour Test Matches will be live, free and in HD on SBS, as well as streamed live online via SBS On Demand.
The Spring Tour will also be screened LIVE on beIN Sports, available to all FOX Sports subscribers and will be available to stream via Foxtel Go.
Qantas Wallabies team to play Italy at Stadio Euganeo, Padova, Italy on Saturday 17 November, 3.00pm local (1.00am AEDT)
1. Scott Sio (53 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (6 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (10 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (15 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (29 Tests)
6. Jack Dempsey (8 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (89 Tests)
8. David Pocock (76 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon*
10. Matt To’omua (40 Tests)
11. Jordan Petaia*
12. Bernard Foley (66 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (23 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (116 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (71 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (87 Tests)
17. Jermaine Ainsley (1 Test)
18. Sekope Kepu (101 Tests)
19. Rory Arnold (19 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (7 Tests)
21. Will Genia (98 Tests)
22. Kurtley Beale (82 Tests)
23. Dane Haylett-Petty (29 Tests)
*denotes uncapped
For the Spring Tour Media Guide, please click here
2018 Spring Tour
Wales 9 v Qantas Wallabies 6 at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Sunday 11 November
Italy v Qantas Wallabies at Stadio Euganeo, Padua, Sunday 18 November at 1am AEDT
England v Qantas Wallabies at Twickenham Stadium, London, Sunday 25 November at 2am AEDT
