FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup Sevens - Singpapore - April 8, 2023 Australia's Darby Lancaster in action with South Africa's Ricardo Duarttee REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Former New Zealand prop Alex Hodgman is set to make his Australia debut after being named on the bench in a much-changed lineup for Saturday's clash against Georgia in Sydney.
The 31-year-old loosehead played four tests for the All Blacks in 2020 and qualifies for the Wallabies through his Fijian-Australian father after moving to the Queensland Reds this year.
Hodgman will become the first player in the professional era to represent both New Zealand and Australia if sprung from the bench at Sydney Football Stadium.
Following Australia's 2-0 series win over struggling Wales, new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made 10 changes to the starting 15 that beat the Welsh 36-28 in Melbourne last Saturday.
They include uncapped winger Darby Lancaster, who played rugby sevens for Australia before picking up a contract at the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels this year.
The 21-year-old will start on the left wing, shunting the in-form Filipo Daugunu to the right wing.
Allan Alaalatoa replaces Taniela Tupou as starting tighthead prop and will be the Wallabies' third captain in three weeks, with loosehead James Slipper rested after leading the team in Melbourne.
Flanker Liam Wright, a surprise captaincy choice in the first test win over the Welsh in Sydney, remains sidelined following a shoulder injury.
Schmidt has completely changed his tight five, with hooker Billy Pollard and loosehead Isaac Kailea joining Alaalatoa in the front row.
Angus Blyth and Nick Frost will start in the second row against the Georgians, who upset Eddie Jones's Japan 25-23 in Sendai last weekend.
Outside centre Len Ikitau and loose forward Harry Wilson will also start after recovering from injuries, while Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott replace the demoted Noah Lolesio and omitted Jake Gordon as starting halfbacks.
In the teams' last meeting, Australia beat Georgia 35-15 in the group phase of the World Cup in France.
Australia team:
15-Tom Wright, 14-Filipo Daugunu, 13-Len Ikitau, 12-Hunter Paisami, 11-Darby Lancaster, 10-Ben Donaldson, 9-Tate McDermott, 8-Harry Wilson, 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Rob Valetini, 5-Angus Blyth, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2-Billy Pollard, 1-Isaac Kailea
Replacements: 16-Josh Nasser, 17-Alex Hodgman, 18-Zane Nongorr, 19-Tom Hooper, 20-Jeremy Williams, 21-Nic White, 22-Noah Lolesio, 23-Andrew Kellaway.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Stephen Coates)
