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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Tom Coleman

Michael Cheika to drop 'biggest selection bombshell in Australia's Rugby World Cup history' in bid to topple England

Australia boss Michael Cheika is reportedly set to hand a shock start to 19-year-old Jordan Petaia at outside centre, as he bids to mastermind a Rugby World Cup quarter-final triumph over England.

One outlet in Australia has labelled Petaia's likely inclusion 'the biggest selection bombshell in Australian World Cup history', with the teenager only making his test debut in the win over Uruguay two weeks ago.

This will be his third test, and it appears he has the faith of head coach Cheika, who is likely to view an all out attack as the best way of overcoming Eddie Jones' side.

Petaia is already seen as one of world rugby's brightest talents, and has even been compared to Joe Roff and Israel Folau.

But it's a move that will nevertheless be seen as a gamble heading into Saturday's game, particularly given that he will likely mark England's Manu Tuilagi.

But, having lost their last six tests against England since the 2015 World Cup, a fresh approach could well be seen as the best way to earn the victory that would likely bring a halt to Jones' four-year stint with the RFU.

Jordan Petaia dives to score his side's second try during Australia's Rugby World Cup win over Uruguay (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Cheika too is likely to depart his role should the Wallabies taste defeat at the weekend, which only makes Petaia's selection seem even more of a risk.

Despite being so highly rated, the teenager played just 11 games in Super Rugby last season after struggling with injury.

Meanwhile, his only previous outings for his country have come on the wing, although reports have suggested that a hamstring injury prevented an trial at 13 earlier in the tournament.

Nevertheless, with so much at stake, it appears to be a risk Cheika is willing to take.

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