Matt Giteau has given a ringing endorsement to rising star Luke Burgess, who is set to make his Test debut at halfback in Robbie Deans' first match in charge of the Wallabies.

Deans will name his side on Wednesday morning for Saturday's Test against Ireland, with Burgess to be rewarded for his stellar form after claiming the NSW No.9 jersey midway through the Super 14 season.

The bolter in the Australian starting line-up is shaping to be Reds winger Peter Hynes, who ran with the first-choice Australian team for much of the training session at Melbourne's Xavier College.

The uncapped Hynes looks to have edged out Adam Ashley-Cooper - one of the Wallabies' best performers at last year's World Cup - for a starting wing spot along with Lote Tuqiri, with Cameron Shepherd at fullback.

Hynes was the Reds' most improved player this season.

Giteau and Burgess spent some time together at the Brumbies, before the star No.10 moved to the Western Force and Burgess went to the Waratahs after a frustrating four-year stint in the national capital.

"He threatens the line well, he's obviously a very good runner with the ball," said Giteau of Burgess.

"He's quick, he's got good service, I think he's got everything that a halfback needs to have.

"Obviously he doesn't have that experience because he's only just started playing Super 14 but I think he's shown that he's got enough belief and confidence in himself to be able to handle any level.

"... He definitely suits my style of game because he threatens the line and if he has those people guessing in tight it opens up a bit more space for me out wider.

"We certainly do complement each other."

Giteau's move from inside centre to five-eighth means he and Berrick Barnes swap positions from the 2007 World Cup campaign.

Stephen Moore is favoured to win the starting hooker's berth against Ireland ahead of Adam Freier, while combative Reds captain James Horwill is likely to partner Nathan Sharpe in the second row in the absence of the injured Dan Vickerman.

Burgess's elevation to the Waratahs' starting lineup midway through the Super 14 season corresponded with a run of form which took them all the way to the final where they bowed out to the Crusaders in Deans' final match in charge of the NZ province.

Burgess's explosive ability to take on the line should win him the nod over Queenslander Sam Cordingley, who is likely to be picked on the reserves bench against Ireland.

If Burgess, 24, is named in the first XV, he will be opposed to experienced Irish halfback Peter Stringer, who replaced Eoin Reddan in one of two changes to the starting side which lost 21-11 to New Zealand in dreadful conditions in Wellington last weekend.

"As a coach I would certainly be wary of Australia and their tradition of being able to cut sides up when they get into their stride and into their pattern," interim Irish coach Michael Bradley said.

"We'd be very much aware of that.

"New Zealand kind of play the game more traditionally, more in line with what we would do, so it's going to be a very difficult challenge for us."

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