Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has made significant changes to the team ahead of their match against the Springboks at Optus Stadium in Perth tonight, bringing back veteran Fijian winger Marika Koroibete to the starting lineup. Koroibete, who has not played since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, will join Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright in the back three.
The 59-Test player had previously been included in the squad for the initial matches of the Rugby Championship but missed out on the July series due to his commitments in Japan. Additionally, Schmidt has selected Nic White from Western Force to start at scrum-half for the first time this year, pairing him with Noah Lolesio, a former teammate at the Brumbies.
In the forward pack, prop Angus Bell returns from a toe injury that has kept him out since April, when he last played for the Waratahs. He will be joined by hooker Josh Nasser for his debut start, alongside captain Allan Alaalatoa. Angus Blyth is also back in the lineup after missing the Springboks loss due to an infection, stepping in for Nick Frost, who is out with a concussion.
There are two potential newcomers on the bench: Serupepeli Uru, who has previously played for Fiji U20, and Max Jorgensen, both of whom are included in the 23-man squad. Uru offers versatility in the second and back row, while Jorgensen returns from injury that sidelined him from debuting as the youngest Australian in a Rugby World Cup last year.
“There’s some continuity and freshness in this team after a very physical test last weekend,” Schmidt remarked. “The players have rolled up their sleeves and worked hard again this week. The reality is that we need to be more combative and accurate this Saturday.”
The match is set to kick off at 7:45 PM.