Australia’s rugby coach Joe Schmidt has announced significant changes to the team’s backline ahead of their Rugby Championship test against New Zealand’s All Blacks on Saturday, while only making a single alteration to the forward pack. The Wallabies, coming off a heavy 67-27 defeat to Argentina in Santa Fe two weeks ago, are seen as heavy underdogs for the match at Stadium Australia.
Schmidt expressed the hope that the team has regained some confidence, although he acknowledged the need for a solid foundation first. “I think we have to get a bit of a dose of reality first … so there was a little bit of reality at the start and then hopefully we get a bit of an upswing towards the end of the week and obviously on Saturday,” he stated.
The coach has welcomed back four players who missed the previous match due to injury: Noah Lolesio returns at flyhalf alongside scrumhalf Nic White, with Tom Wright taking position at fullback and Hunter Paisami back in the centers after a knee injury.
“Hunter is a really punchy player for us,” Schmidt noted, emphasizing the experience and synergy among the players. In the forwards, Fraser McReight will make his Rugby Championship debut of the year after recovering from a broken hand, resulting in Carlo Tizzano, who had shown promise over the last four matches, missing out.
“Carlo’s been outstanding, absolutely outstanding,” Schmidt said, adding that both McReight and Tizzano were strong contenders for the position. Loosehead prop James Slipper is set to make his 140th test appearance, which would see him surpass George Gregan as Australia’s most capped player.
Australia last claimed the Bledisloe Cup in 2002, and following their disappointing loss in Santa Fe, expectations are low regarding their chances against the All Blacks both this week and in the upcoming match in Wellington. “It’s a huge, huge motivator for us,” Lolesio remarked, underlining the team’s determination to perform well.
The Wallabies’ lineup is as follows:
15-Tom Wright, 14-Andrew Kellaway, 13-Len Ikitau, 12-Hunter Paisami, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Nic White, 8-Harry Wilson, 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Rob Valetini, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Taniela Tupou, 2-Matt Faessler, 1-Angus Bell. The replacements include 16-Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17-James Slipper, 18-Allan Alaalatoa, 19-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20-Langi Gleeson, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-Tom Lynagh, and 23-Dylan Pietsch.