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Wallabies rest stars for clash with Eddie's Japan

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The ESPN Scrum Reset discuss Carter Gordon's return to rugby and how Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could play a role in Gordon reclaiming the Wallabies No. 10 jersey. (2:19)

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has wrapped star backs Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen in cotton wool for next weekend's clash with England, choosing to leave them out of the 23 to face Japan on Saturday.

The decision to rest the boom youngsters is offset by the return of classy outside backs Andrew Kellaway and Dylan Pietsch, who have been rushed into the starting XV after recovering from hamstring and jaw injuries respectively.

Schmidt confirmed his matchday 23 on Thursday afternoon, confirming ESPN's earlier reporting that wholesale changes would be made for the clash with Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms.

The Wallabies will have some stability in the form of halves Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed, who have been retained from the Bledisloe Cup defeat in Perth, but will otherwise field new outside back, centre, back-row, lock and front-row combinations from those that lost to the All Blacks.

Kellaway and Pietsch are joined by Corey Toole in the outside backs, while Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook form an all-Queensland Reds midfield.

Meanwhile, Schmidt has handed the captaincy to flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny in what is just his third Test. Champion de Crespigny has replaced regular skipper Harry Wilson in the No. 6 jersey, while his Western Force teammate Carlo Tizzano has finally been given a chance at No. 7 with Fraser McReight another first-choice player given the weekend off. Rob Valetini rounds out Australia's back-row at No. 8.

"Nick has captained Sydney university in the past, he was vice captain of the Western Force when they played against the British & Irish Lions, so he has recent leadership experience," Shcmidt said of his decision to name de Crespigny as captain. "He's part of our leadership team and he'll be really well supported by Jeremy Williams and Lukan Salakai-Lotto, who will be looking after the line-out.

"And obviously with Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed playing for the Waratahs and playing a couple of Tests together, they will also be really supportive for Nick."

The coach defended his decision not to turn to more experienced players such as Gordon or Williams, both of which have captained their Super Rugby side's.

"One of the things was Jake has only had one game back really, and is very focused on trying to get his own game right," he said.

"Nick has been with us consistently week to week throughout and is part of the leadership group anyway, so it was a natural enough progression for him.

"Particularly in the context that Jeremy Williams and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will be leading the lineout, and Jake and Tane will be running the team. "Nick is very much a leader of his actions and he'll want to be in the thick of the action as much as he can be."

The final changes in the pack front see Jeremy Williams and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto form a new locking partnership, while Queensland's Zane Nonggorr will make his first run-on start in the front-row, linking with Josh Nasser and Angus Bell.

"It was great to get the group back together late last week in Sydney, and to welcome in a couple of new faces," Schmidt said.

"The players have acclimatised well here in Tokyo and the whole squad is conscious of the threat the Brave Blossoms pose. They play hard and fast and are very tough to beat, especially at home."

Schmidt will once again look to power off the bench with Billy Pollard and Tom Robertson named, while Aidan Ross has the potential to become just the fifth man to represent both Australia and New Zealand in Test rugby after he was included among the replacements.

Meanwhile, Josh Canham and Hamish Stewart have earned Wallabies recalls after impressing for Australia A in their 70-7 win over Japan XV last weekend, while Ryan Lonergan will get another chance to build on his international experience as replacement scrum-half, with Filipo Daugunu rounding out the 23.

AUSTRALIA TEAM TO FACE JAPAN

Andrew Kellaway, Corey Toole, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell. Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Tom Robertson, Josh Canham, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu.