'Without a doubt': Why Dan McKellar thinks Lachie Lonergan is ready for a Wallabies Test debut

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will name his squad on Monday for the first Test against the French at Brisbane's Lang Park on Wednesday night.

Lonergan has risen from third-ranked Brumbies hooker to a potential Australian starter in the wake of a breakout Super Rugby campaign.

Now the 21-year-old offers Rennie "a point of difference" against France as the Wallabies brace for three Tests in a hectic 11-day period.

"Without a doubt. If he wasn't ready, he wouldn't be here," McKellar said.

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"It's not a charitable selection by any means, he's in this environment because he has earned it. Dave and the coaches see a whole lot of potential and a really good young hooker there who has got a point of difference.

"He's a very good athlete, good speed, athletic, tough, good defender, good post-tackle presence who can put the opposition under pressure. That's backed up by good set piece, so he has got a big future ahead of him.

"He's a young man and his professional career has accelerated really quickly over the past, it's not even 12 months is it?

"He's gone from playing bits and pieces of Super Rugby to all of a sudden starting for the Brumbies, and now finding himself in the Wallaby environment.

"He's training well, he's just going about his job nice and quietly and doing his work, that's how Noss functions. He'll never die of stress whether he's got to hit a lineout in that first minute or that 78th minute to win a game.

"He's a really quietly confident young man who is an outstanding rugby player. He's doing well, Noss, and the more time he spends in this environment, the more he'll feel comfortable and we'll see the best of him."

Lonergan is pressing his Test claim alongside his older brother Ryan, who could force his way into the side at scrumhalf.

The Lonergan duo's first taste of life in Wallabies camp doubles as McKellar's, with the Brumbies mentor tasked with reversing the national side's fortunes at the lineout and maul.

The Wallabies look set to mirror the Brumbies' style, pushing for tries when they crack the opposition's 22 metre zone and turning their maul into a lethal weapon.

"I'm well across what a good maul can do from an attacking point of view, not only for your forward pack but also for creating one on one opportunities for your back line and allowing you to be a little bit innovative," McKellar said.

"I've been really impressed with our players it's new to, the reality is for the players who aren't from the Brumbies, it's new to, and they've adapted. It's far from perfect, but by next Wednesday night there will certainly be no excuses from our end."

WALLABIES V FRANCE

First Test: Wednesday, July 7 - Australia v France at Lang Park. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

Second Test: Tuesday, July 13 - Australia v France at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

Third Test: Saturday, July 17 - Australia v France at Lang Park. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

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