'He belongs': Dave Rennie backs Tom Banks as he emerges as a Wallabies leader

Banks is looking to establish himself as Australia's premier fullback and his next chance comes in the second Test against France at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday.

Three months ago Rennie outlined fullback and hooker as the two positions there for the taking as he continued to usher in a new generation of Wallabies.

Banks has earned the first opportunity on the back of a standout Super Rugby campaign with the ACT Brumbies, with the 27-year-old saying he "really wanted to step up" in search of a Wallabies return.

Jordan Petaia is seen as a long-term prospect but is nursing an injury. Utility Reece Hodge has tasted little football in recent months. Dane Haylett-Petty's year has been haunted by concussions.

MORE RUGBY UNION

Rennie has been so impressed with Banks, the Brumby has been elevated into the national team's leadership group, and he believes that confidence will shine through as Australia look to secure the Trophée des Bicentenaires.

"He's been fantastic in the group, he's part of our leadership group now. I guess that tells you where we see him in the standings," Rennie said.

"He is contributing really well, and I think being a part of that group has given him confidence that he belongs. He has trained excellently well, and we expect to see that reflected on Tuesday."

Rennie's decision to keep the same 23-man squad leaves the door open for ACT Brumbies outside centre Len Ikitau to earn his first Test cap off the bench.

Ikitau was not used in the series opener. If a debut doesn't come in game two, it may well in game three on Saturday, with Rennie saying "there's no doubt there'll be players coming from outside that 23 to play in the third Test".

But for now Rennie has invested in the same squad to secure the silverware, confident "we'll be sharper this time" after falling short of expectations in the opener.

"Being the first Test of the year for us, we knew it wasn't going to be perfect by any means," Wallabies winger Tom Wright said.

"There were definitely a few learnings we took out of the points that came out early. We know they are obviously a physical side and they play with a fair bit of skill in their game, the offloads that came out of a couple of errors we gave them is certainly something we're looking to tidy up.

"Certainly giving a 15-point head start wasn't something that was at the forefront of everyone's mind leading into the first Test.

"Definitely starting a little bit better than we did in the previous game and not giving the French a leg up so early [is a focus].

"They were very good in that first Test and we're expecting very much the same."

WALLABIES V FRANCE

Second Test: Tuesday - Australia v France at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, 8pm. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

Wallabies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To'omua, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Allan Alaalatoa, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Isi Naisarani, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Andrew Kellaway.

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