Gold Coast junior James Slipper will become the first player to represent the Wallabies in 150 Tests, selected to start at loosehead prop in Saturday’s first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Auckland.
Having made his international debut as a 21-year-old in 2010 against England, Slipper already holds the record for the most-capped prop in Test Rugby history and will join Wales’s Alun Wyn Jones and New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock as just the third player to reach the milestone of 150 Tests.
Wallaby number 843, Slipper will line up alongside hooker Billy Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the run on front row.
Sunshine Coast product Tate McDermott will notch up his own milestone at Eden Park, named to start for the first time in 2025 in what will be his 50th Test for Australia, having made his debut against New Zealand in 2020. He’ll partner former Reds’ teammate James O’Connor in the halves, who plays his 69th match for his country.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also earned his first start for the year on Saturday, selected alongside Nick Frost in the run-on second row.
The versatile Tom Hooper shifts back to blindside flanker for what is the fifth round of the Flight Centre Rugby Championship, reconnecting with openside flanker Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson who will again wear the number eight jersey.
The experienced Len Ikitau has been paired up with outside centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii who will play in his first Bledisloe Cup Test, as will the back three of Corey Toole, Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen. The 21-year-old Jorgensen set to start at fullback for the first time in Wallaby gold.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa are the replacement front row, with Alaalatoa playing his first Test of the Rugby Championship having recovered from a shoulder injury.
Western Force duo Jeremy Williams and Carlo Tizzano will provide the remaining forward cover.
Canberra’s Ryan Lonergan has been selected for a potential Test debut as the replacement scrumhalf, with Tane Edmed the reserve flyhalf and the powerful Filipo Daugunu the remaining back cover.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad have worked away this week, fully aware of the challenge that awaits at Eden Park.
“It’s a fitting occasion for James Slipper to reach the milestone of 150 test matches and for Tate McDermott to represent the Wallabies for the 50th time.”
1 James Slipper (149 Tests) - #843; Bond Pirates
2. Billy Pollard (14 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Taniela Tupou (63 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (32 Tests) - #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (42 Tests) - #914; Randwick
6. Tom Hooper (17 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
7. Fraser McReight (33 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8 Harry Wilson (c) (29 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (49 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
10. James O’Connor (68 Tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
11. Corey Toole (3 Tests) - #992, Wagga Crows
12. Len Ikitau (46 Tests) - #944, Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (12 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Harry Potter (5 Tests) - #989, Moorabbin Rams
15. Max Jorgensen (15 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (24 Tests) - #918, Southern Districts
17. Angus Bell (43 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Allan Alaalatoa (83 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
19. Jeremy Williams (18 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Carlo Tizzano (10 Tests) - #982; University of Western Australia
21. Ryan Lonergan* - uncapped; Tuggeranong Vikings
22. Tane Edmed (3 Tests) - #990; West Harbour Juniors
23. Filipo Daugunu (13 Tests) - #931, Wests Bulldogs
Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wallabies 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 27 on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies 26 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 29 on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies 22 defeated the British & Irish Lions 12 on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 38 defeated South Africa 22 on Saturday August 16 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Wallabies 22 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 23 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wallabies 28 defeated Argentina 24 on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies 26 defeated by Argentina 28 on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand at 3:05pm AEST on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v Japan at 4:50pm AEDT on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London
Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at Stade de France, Paris
