Wallabies name patched-up backline

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EWEN McKenzie has been forced to go left-field with selections in a bid to merely field a team amid the carnage of this week, picking a fullback at inside centre, an inside centre at outside centre, and grooming a halfback to play on the wing.

The Wallabies coach has selected Mike Harris in midfield to partner Christian Lealiifano - who plays his first Test in the unfamiliar No. 13 jersey - for what he calls one of the team's "greatest challenges" against Scotland this weekend.

Back-up Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps ended up on the wing during the carnage of the first British and Irish Test this year, and now he may have to reprise the role in this hotchpotch squad.

Phipps has been named on the bench to cover a number of positions due to the incredible few days of anarchy within the camp, with six players suspended for drinking including starting wingers Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Cummins, while centre pair Tevita Kuridrani (suspended by IRB for a tip-tackle in last week's Test) and Matt Toomua (hamstring injury) have also been rubbed out.

Mike Harris will start at inside centre for the Wallabies. Source: Getty Images

"This will be one of our greatest challenges," McKenzie said.

"But all the guys getting an opportunity will be hungry for different reasons, if we don't get the best out of them now, I don't know if we ever will.

"This is a test of character for everyone, all of us, coaches, the whole lot.

"It will be an important moment."

The forward pack remains unchanged from last weekend's win over Ireland, but four direct changes in the backline will create serious challenges for the team.

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Harris played his last Test one year ago off the bench, and largely played fullback for the Reds this season in Super Rugby.

He will now be second-receiver to Quade Cooper, a role he filled capably at times during the Reds' championship 2011 season.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Chris Feauai-Sautia will play just his second Test for the Wallabies on the wing at Murrayfield, joining Israel Folau and Joe Tomane in the back three.

Chris Feauai-Sautia has been named on the wing for the Wallabies. Source: Getty Images

While back-up utility Bernard Foley can expect first chance if there is an early injury in the backline, Phipps must be prepared to cover a number of unfamiliar positions should there be a repeat of the Lions mayhem, when Australia lost four backs to injury during the game.

"We practice our base game all the time, all the guys practice that," McKenzie said.

"We train team-on-team all the time, these guys interchange all the time.

"Even Phipps on the bench, he trains in multiple positions, he is a halfback but in he trains in a lot of other positions anyway. When (Nic) White and (Will) Genia are training against each the Phipps actually training in other positions.

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"He is well tooled up, he's got all the skills to be able to play different positions. In his career he's played on the wing at the Wallaby level, he's also played in the midfield before.

"This is going to be a tough game, he is a good, hard, competitive player.

"The thing he does bring is a lot of energy, that's what we want, guys on the bench to lift the performance.

"Foley is the obvious guy to be first on the field to cover multiple positions.

Scrumhalf Nick Phipps might have to cover a number of backline positions for the Wallabies. Source: News Corp Australia

"Phipps has actually trained really hard, an opportunity for him is not untimely.

"He's our most energetic person probably outside of Hooper, he is a more verbal version of Hooper, it's hard to keep him quiet.

"So I think he will be a very useful guy in the 23 to encourage and get out there and play, and he will be the most enthusiastic guy out there, for sure."

Scotland has beaten Australia in their past two meetings.

WALLABIES: 15. Israel Folau 14. Joe Tomane 13. Christian Lealiifano 12. Mike Harris 11. Chris Feauai-Sautia 10. Quade Cooper (vice-captain) 9. Will Genia 8. Ben Mowen (captain) 7. Michael Hooper 6. Scott Fardy 5. James Horwill 4. Rob Simmons 3. Sekope Kepu 2. Stephen Moore 1. James Slipper.

Reserves: 16. Saia Fainga'a 17. Ben Alexander 18. Paddy Ryan 19. Sitaleki Timani 20. Ben McCalman 21. Nic White 22. Nick Phipps 23. Bernard Foley.

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