Force star Brandon Paenga-Amosa has come into the Wallabies squad at short notice, joining the team for captain’s run on Friday and sliding onto the bench, with Billy Pollard promoted into the starting side.
It came after hookers Dave Porecki and Matt Faessler sustained a heel and calf injury, respectively, at Thursday afternoon’s training.
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Despite the last minute change, captain Harry Wilson believes the transition should be seamless for the Wallabies.
“Brandon joined us yesterday afternoon,” Wilson said to reporters after captain’s run on Friday.
“Obviously, after a bit of a tough Thursday training session, it's gutting to lose a few great players in Porecki and Fez.
“But I've got a lot of confidence in BPA. He's been around this group for quite a long time over the last year and a half. He's obviously versed the Lions three times already, I believe.
“So he's got a lot of confidence and he's come into the group and he's fitting very quickly.”
Paenga-Amosa was not initially included in the squad for the series, but has had a busy month, grabbing additional fixtures for the AUNZ XV and First Nations Pasifika XV.
“He's been playing in the other matches, so we haven't had him in this prep,” Wilson added.
“But he was obviously with us on the Spring Tour and played here against the Kiwis last year. We've got a lot of confidence in him and saying that, we all have pretty similar cores and so all the structures are pretty fresh for him.
“It's very familiar for him and he's already all over it - he's out there, he knew it all back-to-front. I think all hookers, they live for their line-outs, so I think he spent a bit of time in the mind gym last night getting over it all.”
The match also sees the likes of Dylan Pietsch, Tom Hooper, Taniela Tupou and Zane Nonggor also slotting into the side.
All have had at least one fixture against the Lions, which Wilson believes will translate to the side’s performance.
“We definitely have a very clear plan and I think everyone in the 36-man squad, we're all on the same page,” he said.
“It's been nice to have Taniela, Hoops, Pietschy come in - just that fresh energy has been really effective, especially on the training park.
“They've come in, they've lifted up the standards, having those fresh bodies will be awesome to have for us tomorrow night. They're all just so pumped to be out there.
“As footy players, it's very much week to week. Once it's Tuesday everyone was pretty aware that we have to switch on and if you go into a test match against the Lions not in the right mental space it's going to be a tough night.
“Everyone really clicked that switch, we've had a really good week and we can't wait to get out there.”
