Pakistan, July 10 -- Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt admitted he was "apprehensive" Thursday after naming rookie Declan Meredith as his starting fly-half against France with Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson both ruled out with injuries. The 27-year-old ACT Brumbies playmaker was called into the Australia squad for the first time before the Nations Championship opener against Ireland last week.

He failed to make the Wallabies bench, but now finds himself as the leading No.10 for Saturday's encounter in Brisbane, with Gordon and Donaldson, who both played last week, sidelined by calf strains.

"It's a big ask to suddenly be thrust into it," Schmidt said.

"Declan's had 10 days with us effectively, so he's had a chance to build a bit of confiden...