The Wallabies will look to win its second game under new coach Joe Schmidt as they take on Wales at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm (AEST).
Schmidt earned his first win as Wallabies coach with a 25-16 victory over the Welsh last Saturday in Sydney as the team showed glimpses of what’s to come.
MATCH CENTRE: Scores, stats and more!
However, the Wallabies were forced to name yet another captain after Liam Wright was forced out with a shoulder injury.
Instead, James Slipper will lead out the Wallabies for the 15th time in his career as Charlie Cale comes into the starting team in place of Wright.
Wales coach Warren Gatland was forced to reshuffle his side due to a number of injuries, with one star boasting a famous surname.
Follow all the action from the Wallabies’ clash against Wales in our LIVE BLOG below!
James Botham, the grandson of legendary cricketer Ian Botham, will start the game in the No. 6 shirt.
Botham has featured in 12 Tests for Wales and came off the bench in last Saturday’s defeat against the Wallabies.
The Wallabies’ clash against Wales will be followed by a Test against Georgia on July 20 before they begin the Rugby Championship against the Springboks on August 10.
TEAM NEWS
Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Charlie Cale, Fraser McReight, Rob Valentini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, James Slipper (c)
Interchange: Josh Nasser, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Langi Gleeson, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch
Wales (15-1): Cameron Winnett; Liam Williams, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer; Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan; Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, James Botham; Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza; Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (capt), Gareth Thomas
Interchange: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O’Connor, Cory Hill, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins
Follow all the action from the Wallabies’ clash against Wales in our LIVE BLOG below! Can’t see the blog? Click here