Joe Schmidt has warned the British and Irish Lions that Australia will still be competitive in Saturday's First Test despite the loss of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini.
In a hammer blow to the Wallabies' hopes of causing an upset in Brisbane, they have lost their two most potent ball-carrying forwards to calf injuries sustained in their training camp.
Both are expected to return for the Second Test in Melbourne but following on from the loss of first choice fly-half Noah Lolesio, Australia have been hit hard on the injury front.
Schmidt, however, insists they will still be a force by drawing on the "quiet confidence" of rookie fly-half Tom Lynagh to guide the way.
When asked about the absence of Valetini and Skelton, Schmidt replied: "I'd be pretty pragmatic and I'd hope that the team are as well. We try not to base our whole game around any individual. We share the load.
"I'd like to think that we can still go out - sharing Tom Lynagh's quiet confidence - and put a game together that at least can keep the British and Irish Lions pretty honest on the day.
"If it was the last game of the series, Rob Valetini and Will Skelton would have been in the mix.
"But the risk you take if you put those guys out there and they're not quite ready and you try to push them through, you might end up worse off.
"I wouldn't say we're taking a long-term view with them, but we just felt it was the most judicious decision at the time."
Langi Glesson has a dead leg so Nick Champion de Crespigny makes his Test debut at blindside flanker, while 22-year-old fly-half Lynagh makes his first international start after three replacement appearances backing up for Lolesio.
Lynagh is son of Australia great Michael Lynagh, and Schmidt said: "I'm really excited for Tom. He's a great kid. He's got a quiet confidence about him.
"You wouldn't think that he's necessarily designed to run a game and dictate what's happening, but he does have a quiet confidence that gives us a quiet confidence as well.
"He has given us the confidence, and the players the confidence, that he's going to run the game really well for us.
"His kicking game is strong. He's got good acceleration and he's incredibly brave to a fault."
Australia XV: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lynagh, Gordon; Alaalatoa, Faessler, Slipper; Frost, Williams; Champion de Crespigny, McReight, Wilson (c)
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway
