Star NRL recruit Suliasi Vunivalu is set to make his international rugby debut after being named on the Wallabies bench for their Sydney Test decider against England on Saturday.
The inclusion of the former Melbourne Storm premiership winger is among a swag of changes to the Australian line-up for the sold-out SCG clash, with Reds backrower Harry Wilson and Melbourne fullback Reece Hodge named in the starting side.
Coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to the starting XV with lock Nick Frost earning his first Test start and James Slipper returning to the familiar loosehead prop role in place of Angus Bell.
Returning to the SCG to play a Test for the first time since 1986, the Wallabies are looking to hoist aloft the newly minted Ella-Mobbs trophy, with the series locked at one win apiece.
Vunivalu switched codes ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby season but the Reds flyer battled ongoing hamstring trouble which limited his chances to push for Test selection.
Hodge is the Wallabies’ third starting fullback in as many games – Tom Banks and Jordan Petaia have been sidelined with injury – and will be joined in the back three by wingers Tom Wright and Marika Koroibete.
