TWINS Anthony and Saia Faingaa have won call-ups to face the daunting All Blacks in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test in Christchurch where chill rain, wind and five degree temperatures also await.
As someone suggested to me, this might be the smallest Wallabie backline EVER to run onto the filed.
It is a huge step into the cauldron for inside centre Anthony, 23, who replaces Berrick Barnes as the key change of personnel from last weekend’s 49-28 crash to the Kiwis in Melbourne.
Faingaa’s Super 14 reputation at the Reds this season for dominant tackles, direct running and back-to-back efforts factored into the punt on a player with just four minutes of Test experience in Melbourne behind him.
Hooker Saia replaces Stephen Moore in the starting pack. Adam Ashley-Cooper switches from fullback to outside centre to replace the injured Rob Horne (elbow) while Kurtley Beale comes in for the biggest challenge of his life at fullback on a night which is sure to be played in tricky conditions.
The Faingaas last weekend became the third twins to appear in Test matches for Australia after appearing off the bench.
Australia: Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma’afu, Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Cameron Shepherd.