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Wallabies make six changes for Ireland but Suaalii is fit to start

169 days ago

The Wallabies line up for last Sunday's anthems in Scotland (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Joe Schmidt has made six changes to his Wallabies team for Saturday’s final Autumn Nations Series match. Australia lost 13-27 to Scotland last Sunday, ending hopes of repeating their 1984 UK and Ireland Grand Slam tour success, and the reaction for their game in Dublin has been to alter one back and five forwards.

With the fixture falling outside the official November player release window, Schmidt was unable to select the likes of the French-based Will Skelton. His place is taken by Jeremy Williams, who had an illness last week, and he will lock down at second row with Nick Frost, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto dropping to the bench.

Both props are also changed with James Slipper and the fit-again Taniela Tupou in for the benched duo of Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. In the back row, Fraser McReight is chosen ahead of Carlo Tizzano at openside.

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While just three players – Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson – are retained from last Sunday’s starting pack in Edinburgh, it is nearly as you were in the back line as the only change is on the left wing with Max Jorgensen in for the benched Harry Potter.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who went off injured at Murrayfield, has recovered and will continue his starting partnership in the midfield with Len Ikitau. On the bench, fly-half Tane Edmed, the son of the former Balmain Tigers NRL star Steve Edmed, is poised to become Australia’s record-extending 19th debutant of 2024.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

Wins

Streak

Tries Scored

Points Difference

2/5

First Try

3/5

2/5

First Points

4/5

3/5

Race To 10 Points

3/5

Schmidt said in a team announcement statement: “It has been a challenging year where we have grown a bit as a squad, and we have an opportunity to challenge ourselves again against what is a settled and cohesive Ireland team.

“It’s going to be a big occasion at the Aviva with the 150th anniversary celebrations so I hope those in attendance get to enjoy a really good spectacle.”

Australia (vs Ireland, Saturday)
1. James Slipper (142 Tests) – Bond Pirates
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (19 Tests) – Southern Districts
3. Taniela Tupou (57 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (24 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (9 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (51 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (24 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (21 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (28 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors
10. Noah Lolesio (28 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Max Jorgensen (6 Tests) – Balmain Wolves
12. Len Ikitau (38 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (3 Tests) – The Kings School
14. Andrew Kellaway (38 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (36 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Replacements:
16. Billy Pollard (5 Tests) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Angus Bell (35 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
18. Allan Alaalatoa (79 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (40 Tests) – Randwick
20. Langi Gleeson (13 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (40 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Tane Edmed (uncapped) – West Harbour Juniors
23. Harry Potter (1 Test) – Moorabbin Rams)

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Comments

1 Comment

JW 167 days ago

Still going with Gordo aye, Schmidt might be as pedantic as Razor with his picks.

Like Edmed getting a tour opportunity, lets see if he players more or less than the obligatory Razor 3 minutes off the bench.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 3 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 3 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 3 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 3 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍