Rob Valetini, the John Eales Medalist, is set to make a significant impact for the Wallabies against England on Sunday, as he starts in the match. Veteran center Samu Kerevi, however, will not be part of the selection. In an exciting development, Langi Gleeson, another Fijian player, has been added to the reserves.
Rising talent Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will be making his debut, becoming the 17th player to do so under coach Joe Schmidt. He will occupy the outside center position, while Urani Ikitau shifts to inside center for the first time at the international level.
This adjustment marks the only change to the starting lineup from the previous Bledisloe Cup match, reflecting Schmidt’s confidence in the current team structure. The front row remains consistent with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, and Taniela Tupou. Notably, former captain Will Skelton will not be included just yet, with Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams taking their places in the second row.
Valetini approaches his 50th Test match, wearing the gold jersey for the 49th time. He will lead alongside Harry Wilson as captain and Fraser McReight. The halves combination of Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio stays intact, with the back three comprising Dylan Pietsch, Andrew Kellaway, and Tom Wright.
Schmidt has made slight adjustments to the bench, with Wallaby Test cap record holder James Slipper returning. If he plays, Slipper will join the top five for most Test caps in history with 141, tying with Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll. After recuperating from an illness, Max Jorgensen also returns to the lineup to support the back replacements, alongside Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott.
“The side has adapted well to the travel, benefiting from multiple training sessions here to prepare for a challenging match on Saturday,” Schmidt noted. He expressed enthusiasm for playing in front of passionate home crowds in iconic rugby stadiums, especially with many players experiencing their first Spring Tour.
The highly anticipated match is scheduled to kick off at 3:10 AM on Sunday at Allianz Stadium in London.
In summary, the Wallabies are showcasing promising potential with fresh talent and seasoned players as they gear up for a crucial match against England. As they embrace this challenge, fans can hope for a lively display of skill and teamwork on the rugby field.
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