The Wallabies have announced an overhauled squad for their first Test against Wales in Sydney on Saturday, broadcasted live on Sky Sports at 10.45am. With the induction of Joe Schmidt as the team’s head coach, a dawn of a new era emerges, marked by the declaration of a maiden captain and seven first-time players. Merely five Australians — along with three starting Welshmen — are holdovers from the last meet-up when the Wallabies suffered a devastating 40-6 defeat to Wales in the previous year’s Rugby World Cup.
Liam Wright, having been the Queensland Reds’ captain since 2020, is the seventh player in the past year to be named as captain for the Wallabies in their first Test match of the year. The line-up follows the captaincy of Michael Hooper, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Will Skelton, Tate McDermott, and Dave Porecki in the preceding two seasons. At 26, Wright teams up with Reds colleague Fraser McReight and the Brumbies’ reigning John Eales medallist Rob Valetini, in the kick-off back row.
“Liam’s humble yet assertive nature coupled with his leadership experience gained from captaining a Super Rugby team rendered him an obvious choice as a natural leader within the team,” expressed Schmidt. However, Schmidt remained noncommittal regarding Wright’s potential long-term captaincy, attributing the decision to preliminary discussions centered on longstanding team responsibilities.
James Slipper will mark his 135th time wearing the gold jersey, accompanied by hooker Matt Faessler, making his Wallabies debut, alongside Taniela Tupou, taking on the role of tighthead prop. Western Force’s captain Jeremy Williams and Queensland’s center, Josh Flook, have been selected for their first Wallabies start, with Williams teaming up with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who returns to the Test for the first time since 2021 following a term with Northampton in the English Premiership.
Hunter Paisami and Flook are set to collaborate as a midfield pair for the Reds, while the captain of NSW Waratahs, Jake Gordon, will join forces with Brumbies’ Noah Lolesio as the halves at Allianz Stadium. Tom Wright, donning the fullback position, makes a comeback, flanked by Andrew Kellaway and Filipo Daugunu as wingmen.
Billy Pollard is geared up for his second Test stint as the reserve hooker, sharing the stage with Alaalatoa and potential new face, Isaac Kailea, as the closing props. Other likely newcomers, the towering 206cm Angus Blyth and the agile Charlie Cale, are sidelined for Wallabies debuts, serving as substitutes for the second and backrow.
McDermott is expected to infuse energy as the replacement scrumhalf, joined by his Reds co-player Tom Lynagh, who is on the verge of continuing his World Cup triumphant father, Michael’s legacy, as the 12th Wallaby offspring to don the gold jersey. Another potential Wallabies newcomer, Waratahs winger Dylan Pietsch, completes the match-day 23 as a reserve.
Warren Gatland, Wales’ coach, has also revamped his team for the imminent Test. Newcomer Josh Hathaway from Gloucester will showcase his talents on the wing while Cardiff’s Ben Thomas secures the outhalf position.
Thomas is back on the international scene post-2021 as the favoured over Sam Costelow, flanked by his Cardiff team-mates Ellis Bevan and Mason Grady in the positions of scrumhalf and inside centre. The back three sees a reshuffle with Liam Williams transitioning from wing to fullback.
Confronted with a stern challenge against Wallabies, a victory Down Under has eluded Wales since 1969, with an eleven-game loss streak. Gatland expresses excitement to play the field on Saturday following a week of rigorous preparation in Sydney.
Acknowledging the stakes of the first Test, Gatland emphasises the necessity of precision, discipline and persistent commitment throughout the 80-minute span. Recognising ample talent within the Australian squad, Gatland anticipates a vigorous performance from them. -Guardian
Aussie Rugby Team: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon are amongst the core squad, including James Slipper, Matt Faessler, and Taniela Tupou. Jeremy Williams and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto add to the lineup, with Liam Wright acting as captain alongside Fraser McReight and Rob Valentini. The bench boasts names like Billy Pollard, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth and Charlie Cale. Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh and Dylan Pietsch are also reliable substitutes for the Australian side.