Noah Lolesio, Solomone Kata get Brumbies call for clash against Reds

"If you're good enough, you're old enough," Rennie told The Canberra Times.

"The Brumbies have some young No. 10s, which is of interest to me because that's an area where we're a little bit thin.

"Some of those young guys will get a chance to push their case for Wallabies. By the end of Super Rugby, we'll have a clear idea of who's going well and who has earned the right to wear the Wallabies jersey.

"I've never been too concerned about age."

The little known 20-year-old playmaker will make his Super Rugby debut when the Brumbies play the Queensland Reds on Friday night.

It's his chance to stake announce to the world he's ready to fill Christian Lealiifano's boots and emulate his efforts as the back-line maestro.

Rennie would have barely known Lolesio when he was appointed as the Wallabies coach at the end of last year.

The lack of established flyhalves in Australia, however, has put Lolesio firmly in the frame to be a Wallabies bolter should he live up to the hype this year.

Matt Toomua is the only experienced playmaker in Australian rugby this year, and although Bernard Foley is still eligible for selection, there is a new breed waiting for a opportunity to shine.

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Lolesio will square off with Isaac Lucas, the Queensland young gun, in round one, while Bayley Kuenzle will make his Brumbies debut from the bench.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar had no hesitation throwing Lolesio into action, revealing a conversation last year erased any doubts about his ability to step up.

"I had a conversation with Noah last year around goal kicking. I said to him and said can you have a chat to [Tuggeranong coach Nick Scrivener], I'd like you to be doing some goal kicking so you're under pressure," McKellar said.

"He said to me: 'what's pressure?' It was a joke between us, but that's the attitude he has.

"He's not arrogant and doesn't get ahead of himself, but he's got that self confidence and belief in his own ability. He's very calm and composed, I don't think he'll be overawed.

"He'll make a mistake or two along the way, as we all do. But it's about we respond and react to that. It's just how he's worked really hard to improve his game and mind set ... dealing with stress and pressure, he'll handle that well."

Lolesio and Solomone Kata will make their Super Rugby debuts in the Brumbies' starting side. Kuenzle and Harry Lloyd will do so from the bench, while Caderyn Neville and Will Miller will play their first games for the Brumbies.

Darcy Swain and Murray Douglas will be the lock partnership, taking over from Sam Carter (Ireland) and Rory Arnold (France) after their respective departures last year.

Tom Cusack is at openside flanker and although he spent plenty of time in the role last year, it's the first game without David Pocock as a contracted Brumbies player.

Kata and Tom Wright will be the wingers for a match-up against former Brumbies cult hero Henry Speight, who moved to the Reds this season after almost a decade in Canberra.

Kata is a former New Zealand Warriors try-scoring machine, but decided to switch back to his rugby union roots this season.

Wright is also a former rugby league player and is in his second season with the Brumbies.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.

Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Solomone Kata, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. James Slipper, 19. Caderyn Neville, 20. Will Miller, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Andy Muirhead.

Reds: 1. JP Smith, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright (capt), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Isaac Lucas, 11. Henry Speight, 12. James O'Connor, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Bryce Hegarty. Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Izack Rodda, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Hunter Paisami.