Wallabies coaches have made a number of changes to the matchday 23 for the third and final Test of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Series at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday night.
Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou will make his first appearance in a gold jersey this year, replacing the injured Allan Alaalatoa, and will partner with hooker David Porecki and James Slipper who will play his 147th match for his country.
Bathurst Bulldogs junior Tom Hooper has come into the starting side at blindside flanker, in place of Rob Valetini, who is being managed. Hooper will link up with Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson in the loose forward trio, with the latter again captaining the side.
The experienced Nic White has been named to start at scrumhalf in what will be his 73rd and final Wallabies Test after announcing his retirement from international rugby. A Maitland Blacks junior, White will partner Tom Lynagh in the halves, while Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are again selected as the midfield pairing for the sixth straight Test.
Dylan Pietsch replaces the injured Harry Potter on the left wing with whe Wiradjuri man set to play for the first time in the special edition Wallabies jersey he designed for this year’s Lions Series. He’ll join 20-year-old Max Jorgensen, who will play his first Test in his hometown, and Tom Wright in the back three.
Lindfield Junior Billy Pollard has been named as the replacement hooker and will combine with Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr in the substitute front row.
Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams is the lock cover with Langi Gleeson selected as the back row replacement.
Tate McDermott, after coping incredibly well on the wing last week, will again bring energy off the bench, along with Ben Donaldson and Andrew Kellaway who round out the match day 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad was certainly deflated after the gut-wrenching end to last week’s Test in Melbourne, but they have started to gather momentum in the back half of the week and will be ready to go again on Saturday.”
“The support in Brisbane and Melbourne helped to lift the squad, and I know the support this weekend in Accor Stadium, will again help to lift the players in the high-pressure moments that we know are coming."
1. James Slipper (146 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates
2. David Porecki (21 Tests) - #952; Seaforth Raiders
3. Taniela Tupou (58 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (28 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Will Skelton (33 Tests) - #883; The Hills Sports High School
6. Tom Hooper (12 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
7. Fraser McReight (28 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (25 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Nic White (72 Tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks
10. Tom Lynagh (5 Tests) - #977; University of Queensland
11. Dylan Pietsch (5 Tests) - #978, Leeton Phantoms
12. Len Ikitau (42 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (7 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (10 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Tom Wright (40 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Billy Pollard (9 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Angus Bell (39 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Zane Nonggorr (11 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Jeremy Williams (13 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Langi Gleeson (16 Tests) - #960; Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (44 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (18 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles
23. Andrew Kellaway (40 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club
Western Force 7 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 54 on Saturday 28 June at Optus Stadium, Perth
Queensland Reds 12 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 52 on Wednesday 2 July at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New South Wales Waratahs 10 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 21 on Saturday 5 July at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
ACT Brumbies 24 defeated by British & Irish Lions 36 on Wednesday 9 July at GIO Stadium, Canberra
AUNZ Invitational XV 0 defeated by British & Irish Lions 48 on Saturday 12 July at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Wallabies 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 27 on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
First Nations & Pasifika XV 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 24 on Tuesday 22 July at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Wallabies 26 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 29 on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
