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He debuted in July and has only played 72 minutes of Test rugby, but Nick Champion de Crespigny is a shock choice to captain a reshuffled Wallabies side against Japan on Saturday in Tokyo.
In a reduced-strength team with multiple star players rested – including Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Fraser McReight – and with usual skipper Harry Wilson named on the bench, De Crespigny was the leader of choice for coach Joe Schmidt.
After a long career that saw him play in France and only make his Super Rugby debut at the start of this year, the 29-year-old back-rower won his first cap for the Wallabies against the Lions in July.
De Crespigny played 66 minutes in the first Test in Brisbane and, since then, has made just one other six-minute cameo off the bench for the Wallabies in South Africa.
He will start at No.6 for the Wallabies in a back row also containing Carlo Tizzano and Rob Valetini.
Schmidt hinted he would look to rest several of his biggest stars against Eddie Jones’ Japan, given the Wallabies have to play five Tests in 30 days on a hectic spring tour schedule.
Nick Champion de Crespigny is the new Wallabies captain.Credit: Getty Images
But the scale of the changes, and left-field choice of leader, will still prompt nervous gulps from Wallabies fans, given the banana-skin nature of the clash with the world No.13 Japan side.
The back line has, in particular, has undergone major surgery, with halves Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed the only survivors from the Wallabies’ starting side in their last game against the All Blacks in Perth.
With Len Ikitau now at Exeter and unavailable, and Suaalii rested, the new centre pairing will be Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook, who have only played one Test each this year.
Andrew Kellaway has returned to fullback after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Dylan Pietsch has also been named to return to the starting side for the first time since he broke his jaw against the Springboks in August. Corey Toole has also won a recall after being left out against the All Blacks in Perth.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been rested.Credit: Getty Images for ARU
Up front, the starting front row comprises players who have been on the bench for most of the year – Angus Bell, Josh Nasser and Zane Nonggorr – while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will also get a start, with Nick Frost rested.
On the bench, one-Test former All Black Aidan Ross will likely make his Wallabies debut, and Josh Canham and Hamish Stewart are also making rare appearances in the Test squad.
With Carter Gordon not deemed ready after only a week in Wallabies camp, Stewart is the back-up five-eighth for Edmed, despite only having played the role in Super Rugby three times in the last six years.
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