Rob Valetini, the recipient of the John Eales Medal, is set to take the field for the Wallabies against England this Sunday, while seasoned center Samu Kerevi will not be part of the lineup. Another promising Fijian player, Langi Gleeson, joins the reserves for the match.
Rising talent Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his debut for the Wallabies, marking Joe Schmidt’s 17th debutant. Suaalii will be positioned in the centers, with Ikitau shifting to inside center, a first at the international level for him. This change is the only adjustment to the starting team from the second Bledisloe Cup match, as Schmidt opts to maintain his successful selections, including a front row featuring Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, and Taniela Tupou.
Despite discussions around reintroducing former captain Will Skelton, Schmidt has decided to stick with Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams in the second-row. Valetini will be aiming to reach his 50th Test cap soon, playing in his 49th match for Australia. Captaincy duties will be shared with Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight as they lead the side alongside the halves combination of Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio. The back three is made up of Dylan Pietsch, Andrew Kellaway, and Tom Wright.
In the replacements, James Slipper makes a return; once he steps onto the pitch, he will achieve a significant milestone, tying with Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll for fifth place in most Test caps, with 141. Max Jorgensen also returns to the squad after recovering from illness, rounding out the backs replacements alongside Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott.
Coach Schmidt noted that the team has adapted well to travel, with a couple of training sessions completed in preparation for what promises to be a challenging contest. He emphasized the excitement of playing in front of passionate home crowds in some of rugby’s most iconic stadiums, many players experiencing their first Spring Tour.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:10 AM on Sunday at Allianz Stadium in London.
This lineup reflects a blend of experience and youth, offering a bright outlook for the Wallabies as they take on a formidable opponent. Fans can look forward to witnessing exciting debuts and strategic plays as the team aims for a successful outing.
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