Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says his new-look team learned “a bit about ourselves” in last week’s win over Wales as he named a largely unchanged line-up, albeit with a new captain, for Saturday’s second clash in Melbourne.
A shoulder injury to newly minted captain Liam Wright has forced him out, with veteran prop James Slipper set to captain the Wallabies for the 15th time.
Slipper, the most capped Wallaby in the team with 135 Tests, double the next highest, another former captain, Allan Alaalatoa, is part of an unchanged front row, with Schmidt also sticking with the same second-row and five-man backline.
The injury to Wright, who left the field in the 57th minute of last week’s win in Sydney, has opened the door for the man who replaced him, Charlie Cale, to make his first Wallabies start.
Wright’s injury forced the only change to the starting 15, but experienced scrum-half Nic White has been named on the bench along with his Western Force teammate Ben Donaldson, picked for his first international of 2024.
Josh Nasser is in line to become the 13th son of a Wallaby to wear the gold jersey, following the path of his father and Wallaby No.685, Brendan, named as the replacement hooker as one of another two changes to the reserves.
Buoyed by the performance of his players in his first match in charge last weekend, Schmidt said he expected improvement again as he stuck with his main men.
“We found out a bit about ourselves last week and are looking forward to learning a bit more on Saturday night,” he said.
“We’ve worked hard again this week in Melbourne and will be going out to earn the support of those in the stands and those at home on Saturday night.”
Isaac Kailea, the latest in a growing list of born and bred Victorians to play for the Wallabies, has kept his place on the bench after making his Wallabies debut in Sydney.
Earlier this week, Kailea declared there could be a “whole stand” of family an friends at AAMI Park to watch him.
Wallabies v Wales
AAMI Park, in Melbourne
Saturday 13 July, 7:45pm AEST
1. James Slipper (c)
2. Matt Faessler
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Jeremy Williams
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Rob Valetini
7. Fraser McReight
8. Charlie Cale
9. Jake Gordon
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Filipo Daugunu
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Josh Flook
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Tom Wright
Substitutes
16. Josh Nasser
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Allan Alaalatoa
19. Angus Blyth
20. Langi Gleeson
21. Nic White
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Dylan Pietsch