 Samo has enjoyed a superb season with Super 12 champions ACT |
Fiji-born Radike Samo and former South African Under-21 centre Clyde Rathbone will make their debuts for Australia against Scotland on Sunday. Samo will line up at blindside flanker in place of Phil Waugh.
With injuries to Stirling Mortlock and Elton Flatley, coach Eddie Jones named a new midfield pairing of Rathbone and Matt Giteau at inside centre.
"It will be a special moment for Radike and Clyde to earn their first Test cap, " Jones said in a statement.
"They both thoroughly deserve it, on the back of some good performances in the Super 12 and the way they have trained over the last week or so, suggests they are ready for Test rugby."
Samo said: "It was one of my goals at the start of the year to play for the Wallabies and to be chosen in the starting team is just great." Rathbone, who plays on the wing for Super 12 side ACT said: "It's a great honour to be selected to start in a Test match for Australia and to do so at outside centre is just a buzz."
Joe Roff, who will play at fullback, is likely to take the goal-kicking duties with both Mortlock and Flatley sidelined.
Australia: Joe Roff; Wendell Sailor, Clyde Rathbone, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); David Lyons, George Smith, Radike Samo; Justin Harrison, Nathan Sharpe; Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.
Reserves: Jeremy Paul, Matt Dunning, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Morgan Turinui, Matt Burke, Chris Latham.
MMIX
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