Rookies given key Bledisloe roles as Jones makes mass changes for Wallabies

Eddie Jones has given rookies Carter Gordon and Tom Hooper key starting roles after making seven changes to his starting side to take on the All Blacks at the MCG on Saturday night.

Jones turned to new faces across the park as his team seek their first win of the year.

As forecast this week, Gordon will start at No.10 ahead of Quade Cooper and will be partnered by Tate McDermott, who starts ahead of Nic White. Jordan Petaia returns from injury to start at No.13 and fullback Andrew Kellaway will also play his first Test of the year after overcoming a hamstring injury.

The Gordon selection is a gamble, but so too is Jones handing the No.7 jersey to Tom Hooper, who started the first Test against South Africa at blindside but missed the Pumas Test with a shoulder injury.

Hooper has only ever played one professional game at openside, when he played there for the Brumbies in their semi-final loss to the Chiefs. The 21-year-old has played the majority of his short career at lock, and has moved into the back row recently.

Opting for Hooper ahead of Fraser McReight — Michael Hooper was not considered due to injury — Jones is looking to get some more size to the Wallabies pack but the All Blacks have significant on-ball threats in Sam Cane and Ardie Savea, so the forwards will have their hands full.

Elsewhere, Angus Bell has been named to start at loosehead prop and Nick Frost returns to the starting side at lock.

Jones has looked to stack his bench with strength, naming Richie Arnold, James Slipper, Cooper and White all on the pine for late impact. Izzy Perese has also been given a bench spot.