Sidelined by a severe fly-half injury crisis that knocked out Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson, the Wallabies are turning to Cairns-born debutant Declan Meredith for their sold-out clash against France at Suncorp Stadium.

This high-stakes match marks a crucial turn in the new Nations Championship, where a disrupted Australian side must defend their historic undefeated home streak against the fierce Six Nations champions.