High-profile NRL recruit Suliasi Vunivalu is set to make his international rugby debut after being named on the Wallabies' reserves bench for the series-deciding Test against England at the SCG on Saturday.
The inclusion of the former Melbourne Storm premiership winger is among a swag of changes to the Wallabies line-up for the sold-out SCG clash, with Reds back rower Harry Wilson and Rebels fullback Reece Hodge named in the starting XV.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to the starting line-up, with lock Nick Frost earning his first Test start and James Slipper returning to the familiar loosehead prop role in place of Angus Bell.
The Wallabies are looking to hoist aloft the newly minted Ella-Mobbs Trophy, with the series locked at one win apiece.
Vunivalu switched codes to join the Queensland Reds ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby season but battled ongoing hamstring trouble that limited his chances to push for Test selection.
He won two NRL premierships with the Storm during his rugby league career.
Hodge is the Wallabies' third starting fullback in as many Tests — 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.
Wilson will start at blindside flanker with skipper Michael Hooper and number eight Rob Valetini rounding out the back row. Rob Leota is now among the reserves.
Frost will combine with Rebels stalwart Matt Philip in the second row.
Brumbies duo Nic White and Noah Lolesio will partner in the halves for the third consecutive Test, with the former set to bring up his 50th appearance in the Wallabies jersey.
Reds captain Tate McDermott has also earned his first call-up of the series after being named on the bench, while centre Len Ikitau will make his return from calf soreness via the reserves.
The Wallabies won the opening Test 30-28 in Perth, before England bounced back to level the series with a 25-17 triumph in Brisbane last Saturday.
Saturday night's match will be the Wallabies' first at the SCG since 1986.
Wallabies squad: Reece Hodge, Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (C), Harry Wilson, Nick Frost, Matt Philip, Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, James Slipper
Reserves: Folau Fainga'a, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Len Ikitau, Suliasi Vunivalu
AAP/ABC
