A smiling Eddie Jones has put New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on notice to prepare for a dip in the Kiwi economy, backing the Wallabies to win the opening Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks at the MCG.
The veteran coach, who steered the Wallabies to their last Cup triumph back in 2002, has overhauled his team, most notably naming rookie five-eighth Carter Gordon for his first Test start.
The 22-year-old will partner Tate McDermott in a new halves pairing, with Quade Cooper and Nic White on the bench, while Andrew Kellaway will start at fullback.
Jones also named Jordan Petaia at outside centre and Tom Hooper in the uncustomary position of openside flanker, with co-captain Michael Hooper still sidelined because of a calf injury.
Prop Allan Alaalatoa will lead the side with the other co-captain James Slipper starting in the reserves.
Jones said the young halves would help the Wallabies match the pace of the All Blacks who are unbeaten this year, while Australia are 0-2.
He felt Gordon was ready, seeing shades of former greats Stephen Larkham and South Africa's Butch James in the youngster.
"If you look back at players, past great 10s, he's got a mixture of Butch James defensively, he's a tough kid," Jones said.
"And then he's got that little bit of a glide that Larkham had, he can take the ball of pace and has got a good passing game."
Tom Hooper has only started once for the Brumbies in the No.7 jersey but Jones lauded his performance in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Chiefs.
"I think the best game I saw from an Australian seven was Tom against the Chiefs," Jones said.
"The way he competed hard at the breakdown was first class."
Jones declared it was the youngest and least experienced team he'd ever picked, but also one that didn't carry any trans-Tasman scars from New Zealand's long dominance.
"I don't think I've ever picked a younger Test team, I think we've got 290 caps in the starting 15," Jones said.
"The All Blacks I'd say would have close to 1000 caps so we've got a young team out there ready to take them on with not much past history, just ready to play.
"And then we've got a very experienced bench, guys like (James) Slipper and Nic (White) and Quade (Cooper) to come on and it'll be a different role for them, it will be an interesting finish to the game."
With a crowd of 80,000 expected for the last Test on home soil before this year's World Cup in France, Jones said nothing would top beating the All Blacks.
"There's nothing better than Australian rugby taking on New Zealand rugby because the New Zealanders all think they're better than us, they always have, and so we get an opportunity," said the former England coach, adding it meant more leading his own country into battle.
"There's nothing better than winning against New Zealand because you feel the country sinking.
"It's not just rugby that sinks, the country sinks, the whole economy goes down so the Prime Minister's there with his fingers crossed hoping the All Blacks win.
"We've got a bit of a job here to do so maybe put the New Zealand Prime Minister on call that the economy's going to suffer and at the same time raise our stakes here."
Meanwhile, New Zealand will be without skipper Sam Cane who has succumbed to a neck issue.
Ardie Savea will take over as captain while Dalton Papali'i will wear the No.7 jersey in the only change to the All Blacks starting line-up which this month downed South Africa 35-20.
Australia: Angus Bell, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Jed Holloway, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Andrew Kellaway. Res: Jordan Uelese, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Richie Arnold, Rob Leota, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Izaia Perese.
New Zealand: Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea (c), Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Mark Telea, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett. Res: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Samuel Whitelock, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.
