There’s 11 changes to the starting side, two debutants and a new captain, but Dave Rennie believes his side is “strong” enough to overcome the threat of a boilover from the Azzurri.
The Wallabies have never lost to Italy but they will face a stern test when they take on Kieran Crowley’s Italian side in Florence on Sunday (12am AEDT).
“We’re conscious of the fact that it’s a good Italian side,” Rennie told reporters on Thursday.
“I know Kieran Crowley well, and they’ve made really good shifts in the last 12 months.
“And so we picked a side that we think is strong, fresh so there’s no plan to throw guys into the game early. We’ll judge it as we see it.”
As earmarked, Rennie has one eye on next week’s crunch Test against Ireland and has opted not to risk a number of players with niggles.
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With Rugby Australia on a money-making tour by playing five Tests, two of which fall outside the international window, Rennie also believes it is physically unsustainable to role his best side out for five straight weeks.
As such, lock Nick Frost, centre Len Ikitau, winger Tom Wright and fullback Jock Campbell are the only players to have retained their positions for the Wallabies’ third match on tour.
First-choice prop Allan Alaalatoa returns from injury and will captain the side with loose-head teammate James Slipper rested.
Asked whether Alaalatoa was a serious contender to captain the Wallabies long-term, Rennie was non-committal but said the 28-year-old was highly respected within the group.
“He’s certainly got massive respect,” Rennie said.
“His attention to detail, his work ethic.
“He obviously captains the Brumbies, and we’ve chosen him for that reason.
“He’s our best option and what happens long-term who knows, but he could definitely skipper Australia long-term.”
Alaalatoa forms a brand new front-row combination alongside Folau Fainga’a and Matt Gibbon, who starts for the first time after four Tests off the bench.
As reported, Will Skelton has been promoted and forms an interesting second-row pair alongside Frost.
It’s a brand new back-row trio, with Ned Hanigan, who has improved his physicality out of sight in recent years, starting at blindside flanker alongside Fraser McReight and Pete Samu who have spent time in the No.7 jersey throughout the Rugby Championship. Michael Hooper, Jed Holloway and Rob Valetini have all been rested.
Jake Gordon starts at halfback as Rennie’s obsession with rotating his halfbacks continues and he starts alongside Noah Lolesio, who has a career-defining match against Italy.
The jury is still out on Lolesio and the weekend’s Test shapes a make-or-break moment for his World Cup chances.
In the backline, Hunter Paisami and Ikitau form an experienced midfield combination while Waratahs flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his debut on the right-wing alongside Campbell and Wright.
Nawaqanitawase has come from the clouds this season.
He was ranked as the Waratahs’ sixth best winger at the start of the year and missed selection in their final trial match.
But after making huge shifts defensively and putting some size on he has become a World Cup bolter almost overnight and adds size, aerial ability and finishing class to the Wallabies.
“He’s had a helluva season,” Rennie said.
“(He was) excellent for Australia A, both in Fiji and in Japan.
“He’s a big man. aerially outstanding going forward and under a high ball, his ability to beat defenders.
“He’s made big shifts defensively, he’s got post tackle presence, kicks the ball well.
“He’s a big man. Generally we’ve got a pretty small backline, so it gives us a point of difference.”
Prop Tom Robertson, 28, is the oldest player on the Wallabies’ bench and he’s joined by the gigantic presence of Taniela Tupou and hooker Lachlan Lonergan.
Darcy Swain returns from suspension while one-Test back-rower Langi Gleeson is also on the bench.
The Wallabies’ backline replacements are full of pace and excitement, with halfback Tate McDermott returning.
Waratahs playmaker Ben Donaldson, who is also capable of playing fullback, is in-line to make his debut while utility Jordan Petaia returns from injury.
While Rennie admitted he had been forced into more changes than “initially anticipated”, he said he was confident the Wallabies had enough depth to ensure they did not slip up.
“Well, every game is a challenge over here,” he said. “We knew that.
“We’re playing five Tests, which no one else is doing.
“You can’t churn out the same side five weeks in a row and expect to be at our best late in the tour.
“We’ve got confidence in the group.
“We’ve got really good depth and when you look at the team, it’s a good side. We expect the team to front.”
WALLABIES vs ITALY at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence. Kick-off: 12am, Sunday 13 Nov.
1. Matt Gibbon (4 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (35 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) (61 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (7 Tests)
5. Will Skelton (22 Tests)
6. Ned Hanigan (26 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (8 Tests)
8. Pete Samu (30 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon (17 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (15 Tests)
11. Tom Wright (20 Tests)
12. Hunter Paisami (22 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (23 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase*
15. Jock Campbell (2 Tests)
Replacements
16. Lachlan Lonergan (6 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (28 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (45 Tests)
19. Darcy Swain (16 Tests)
20. Langi Gleeson (1 Test)
21. Tate McDermott (19 Tests)
22. Ben Donaldson*
23. Jordan Petaia (22 Tests)
*denotes uncapped
