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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii included for Wallabies debut versus England
By
Liam Heagney
Joe Schmidt has made just a single change to his Wallabies team to take on England this Saturday in London, handing rookie Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii his Test debut. Australia were beaten 13-33 by New Zealand in their most recent outing, the September 28 Rugby Championship loss in Wellington.
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They now open their four-match Autumn Nations Series at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham with 14 of those starters retained, the exception being Suaalii, the Australian union’s new recruit from the NRL Roosters, who has been named in place of Hunter Paisami.
A statement read: “21-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his Test debut against England on Saturday in London. The former Australian schoolboys and U18s representative has been selected at outside centre and will partner Len Ikitau in the midfield for the Wallabies in their first Test of the 2024 tour.
“Suaalii is the only change to the starting XV from the side’s last Test against New Zealand in Wellington with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou making up the front row. There are a total of 14 players in the match day 23 who will play at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham for the first time, including second row pairing of Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams who start together for the fourth consecutive Test.
“The back row sees the 2024 John Eales medallist, Rob Valetini, start at blindside flanker, with Fraser McReight on the openside and captain Harry Wilson at the back of the scrum. Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio will partner in the halves for the sixth time this season as the men in gold kick off their first Grand Slam opportunity since 2016.
“Dylan Pietsch retains his spot on the left edge after making his starting debut in Wellington, with Andrew Kellaway named on the right edge and Tom Wright at full-back. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa make up an experienced replacement front row. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will bring further experience off the pine as the substitute second-rower, with Langi Gleeson to provide impact in the loose forwards.
“Queensland’s Tate McDermott is the replacement scrum-half with the versatile Ben Donaldson providing cover in a number of positions across the backline. Max Jorgensen rounds out the match day 23, for what will be his first Test in the northern hemisphere.”
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Head coach Schmidt said: “The side has adjusted well to the travel and have had a couple of trainings up here to prepare for what will be a very tough challenge on Saturday. Playing in front of vocal home crowds in some of the most renowned rugby stadiums in the world is an exciting prospect, with many of the players on their first spring tour.”
Australia (vs England, Saturday)
1. Angus Bell (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
2. Matt Faessler (12 Tests) – USQ Saints
3. Taniela Tupou (56 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (21 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (8 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (48 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (22 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (19 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (27 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors
10. Noah Lolesio (26 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Dylan Pietsch (4 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms
12. Len Ikitau (35 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (uncapped) – The Kings School
14. Andrew Kellaway (35 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (33 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Replacements:
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (16 Tests) – Southern Districts
17. James Slipper (140 Tests)– Bond Pirates
18. Allan Alaalatoa (76 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (37 Tests) – Randwick
20. Langi Gleeson (9 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (37 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (13 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
23. Max Jorgensen (3 Tests) – Balmain Wolves
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