Rob Valetini, the recipient of the John Eales Medal, has been named to start for the Wallabies in their upcoming match against England this Sunday. Notably absent from the selection is seasoned veteran center Samu Kerevi. However, Langi Gleeson, another player of Fijian descent, is included in the reserves.
Excitingly, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to make his debut for the Wallabies, becoming the 17th player to achieve this milestone under coach Joe Schmidt. Suaalii will occupy the center position, with Ikitau transitioning to inside center for the first time at the international level. This marks the only change from the second Bledisloe Cup match, as Schmidt maintains a consistent lineup, starting with a front row that includes Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, and Taniela Tupou.
Despite the urge to reintegrate former captain Will Skelton, Schmidt has opted to keep Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams in the second-row positions. Valetini will be aiming for his 50th Test cap, participating in his 49th match for the national team, with number eight Harry Wilson serving as captain alongside Fraser McReight.
The halfback duo of Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio remains unchanged, while the back trio will feature Dylan Pietsch, Andrew Kellaway, and Tom Wright. In the replacements, veteran James Slipper returns, and should he enter the field, he will equal Irish great Brian O’Driscoll in Test caps, boasting a figure of 141.
Max Jorgensen rejoins the 23-man squad after recovering from illness, providing depth to the backs alongside Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott. Coach Schmidt expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, noting their ability to adjust to travel and train effectively ahead of this challenging encounter.
The match will take place at Allianz Stadium in London, kicking off at 3:10 AM on Sunday.
With a strong combination of experienced players and fresh talent, this match presents an exciting opportunity for the Wallabies to showcase their skills on an international stage. Fans will certainly be eager to witness how this blend of youth and experience performs against England.
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