Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has selected his team for the Autumn Nations Series clash with Wales.
Joseph Suaalii, who produced a man-of-the-match performance on his debut against England at Twickenham last week, has been named on the bench for the clash in Cardiff with Samu Kerevi making his return to Wallaby gold.
Kerevi is joined in the centres by Len Ikitau with Schmidt making six changes to his Wallabies‘ starting XV from the side that shocked Steve Borthwick’s men at the home of English rugby.
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After initially resisting the urge to select overseas-based players in his team earlier this year, Schmidt has named two in his matchday 23 to face Warren Gatland’s Wales team with the world-class Kerevi lining up in the centres and powerhouse forward Will Skelton in the second-row.
The head coach expects another tough challenge from Wales, who the Wallabies beat twice in July, after a pulsating encounter at Twickenham in their opening November international.
“Last week’s Test was fast-paced and physical and we’ve brought in some freshness for what’s going to be another bruising encounter in Cardiff,” he said.
“As a group we’ve worked hard this week, knowing that there will be plenty of pressure on us this weekend.”
Schmidt has been forced into one change to his back three with winger Dylan Pietsch ruled out of the clash with a calf injury. He has been replaced on the left wing by Max Jorgensen – who scored the match-winning try against England – with Tom Wright retained at full-back and Andrew Kellaway on the right wing.
Ikitau and Kerevi combine in the midfield, with the latter playing his first game for the Wallabies since the 2023 Rugby World Cup win over Portugal and earns his 50th Test cap for Australia in the process.
Noah Lolesio starts at fly-half once again but is joined in the half-backs by Nic White, who replaces Jake Gordon in the number nine jumper.
Last week’s captain, Harry Wilson, misses the clash through a head injury he sustained against England and is replaced at number eight by Rob Valetini, who shifts from the flank to earn his 50th Test cap. His spot on the side of the scrum is filled by Seru Uru while Fraser McReight continues at openside flank.
Skelton starts alongside Nick Frost in the second-row while Allan Alaalatoa skippers the team from tighthead prop with Taniela Tupou falling out of the matchday squad. Alaalatoa combines with hooker Matt Faessler and loosehead prop Angus Bell in the front-row.
On the bench, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and Langi Gleeson provide cover in the pack. Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, and Joseph Suaalii are the backline replacements.
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Australia team v Wales
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Date: Sunday, November 17
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16:10 GMT (03:10 AEDT)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
