02/12/2008 8:57 PM
James O'Connor will start his first match for Australia after he was named in the Wallabies side for Wednesday night's commemorative match against the (British) Barbarians club at London's Wembley Stadium.
At 18 years and 126 days, O'Connor became the second youngest player to play for Australia when he came on as a substitute against Italy last month.
Last year's Australian schoolboy's representative now makes his first start in for the Wallabies, being named at fullback by coach Robbie Deans.
The Barbarians have traditionally fielded one uncapped player in major matches, and the Wallabies have followed suit with the naming of the Brumbies lock Peter Kimlin among the run on reserves.
A replacement for injured second rower James Horwill from the original touring party, Kimlin will play his first, albeit non-cap, match for the Wallabies if called into the action on Wednesday night.
Waratahs halfback Brett Sheehan also gains his first appearance of the tour as Deans fulfils his promise to give every member of the Spring Tour squad playing time.
George Smith will lead the side in the absence of injured skipper Sterling Motlock. The job is not new for Smith, having already captained Australia in July for the opening Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks.
Mortlock (head knock), Matt Giteau (shoulder and ankle injuries) and Nathan Sharpe (fractured thumb) were all not considered for selection due to injury.
Deans also gave hooker Stehpen Moore, winger Peter Hynes and props Al Baxter and Benn Robinson a well deserved rest.
Giteau and Moore were the only two players who featured in all 14 Tests in 2008, while Mortlock, Baxter and Hynes missed just one match each.
Winger Lote Tuqiri makes his long awaited return to the starting XV after working his way back to full fitness following knee surgery at the conclusion of the Tri-Nations.
In the absence of Giteau, Quade Cooper takes over at flyhalf.
Wallabies team
15. James O'Connor, 14. Lote Tuqiri, 13. Ryan Cross, 12. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Richard Brown, 7. George Smith, 6. Dean Mumm, 5. Hugh McMeniman, 4. Mark Chisholm, 3. Matt Dunning, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Sekope Kepu
Reserves:
16. Adam Freier, 17. Ben Alexander, 18. Peter Kimlin, 19. David Pocock, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Lachie Turner, 22. Drew Mitchell