Saturday’s second Test against Wales isn’t likely to attract the attention of the internationals either side of mainland Australia, but that doesn’t mean the ramifications won’t be as severe for Joe Schmidt’s men.
With 13 Tests to be played before Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions arrive on Australian shores, Schmidt is looking for both short-term success but very much looking at next year’s historic series.
With 12 months to get it right, every Test is an opportunity for Schmidt to learn who’s who in the zoo and whether they are cut out for international rugby.
For some, the clock is ticking. Patience will only extend so far.
If you don’t perform against a severely weakened Welsh side, what chance are you by the time the Springboks and All Blacks arrive on Australian shores, let alone the Lions.
Of course, the Wallabies’ quick leadup into the series means they won’t be firing on all cylinders for some time, but that leeway only extends so far.
So who are the five players with the most to play for against Warren Gatland’s Welsh side in Melbourne on Saturday evening?
Noah Lolesio
The 24-year-old led the Wallabies to a 25-16 win over Wales last week in what was his first international in more than 18 months.
Nonetheless, the jury is still out on Lolesio.
That’s not surprising. After all, playmakers are always judged with a sharper lens.
Noah Lolesio during the Wallabies captain’s run at AAMI Park on July 12, 2024 in Melbourne. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
Across the ditch, Damian McKenzie still came under plenty of scrutiny despite his pinpoint cross-field kick to Sevu Reece for the opening try.
The issue is McKenzie didn’t control the match like his predecessor Richie Mo’unga, whose figure still loomed large in the background given the Japan-based fly-half was at the gripping one-point win over England in Dunedin.
Schmidt is looking for the Wallabies’ best game-controller.
Lolesio could be it but, at this point, doesn’t look to have the same time up his sleeve like other great fly-halves of the past. Interestingly, it’s Tom Lynagh’s best attribute.
It means Lolesio’s decision-making and accuracy must be spot on because he’s not the quickest nor biggest fly-half.
Goal-kicking kept Lolesio at the top of the charts in 2024 – and that’s something that can’t be understated, especially after a shakier night from the kicking tee last weekend.
Hunter Paisami
Standing outside Lolesio, inside centre Hunter Paisami is another who needs stand up and be counted.
After signing a contract extension with Rugby Australia this year, Paisami is firmly in the picture going forward.
But entering his fifth year as an international, the 25-cap midfielder needs to convert his impressive Super Rugby season onto the Test arena.
Recalled Wallabies midfielder Hunter Paisami in action against Wales at Allianz Stadium on July 06, 2024. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Paisami’s decision-making and execution stood out for the Reds in 2024.
After an injury-riddled campaign last year, Paisami jumped into first-receiver regularly and showed his triple-threat.
He needs to do the same for the Wallabies.
But he also needs to help unlock his men on the outside.
That doesn’t happen overnight, particularly with a new coach and fresh ideas, but balance and control can go a long way to Paisami firming up his position in the Wallabies’ starting side.
If he can’t, Samu Kerevi could well enter the reckoning again while Joseph Suaalii could be thought of as a longer-term option in the midfield giving his bigger physical presence.
Charlie Cale
After debuting off the bench last week, the rising Brumbies loose-forward will start on Saturday night after completing his first-full season in Super Rugby.
It says something about Cale’s talent that he has burst onto the international scene so early in his career, but the explosiveness he offers is something the Wallabies haven’t possessed for a long time.
The 23-year-old can motor at 9.8 metres per second and that express pace has been seen during his runs to the tryline this year.
But his explosiveness has also been a feature at the lineout, with Cale making 13 steals from opposition throws throughout this year’s Super Rugby season.
While the Wallabies have several bigger ball-carriers like Rob Valetini, Langi Gleeson and the fit-again Harry Wilson, Cale offers something unique to the back-row.
Jeremy Williams
Understated but hugely effective on debut last week, Williams was the selection bolter few saw coming a few months ago.
But the Western Force captain moves quicker than you think and is surprisingly heavier than he looks.
Much like a quick who bowls a heavy ball, some players are just heavier than they look. Williams is one of them, with the 23-year-old weighing in at 120kgs ahead of the 2024 season.
Yet, his footwork can’t be underestimated.
The Wallabies pose for a team photo ahead of their captain’s run at AAMI Park on July 12, 2024 in Melbourne. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
He’s also a smart operator on the field, with rugby smarts something hard to quantify but hugely important.
Williams has once again been picked in then second-row, but could easily shift to blindside flanker in much the same way Franco Mostert has also featured prominently on the side of the scrum.
Langi Gleeson
The Waratahs back-rower could consider himself fortunate to earn selection after struggling throughout 2024.
Indeed, Gleeson’s hands let him down often throughout the Waratahs’ miserable year.
But there’s no doubting the 22-year-old’s potential.
Few in Australian rugby break the line like Gleeson, with the No.8 often able to snap through defences.
The crucial part is now hanging onto the ball.
If he does, Gleeson will get the Wallabies gain-line advantage.
In the day and age where winning the breakdown and getting quick ball is king, Gleeson can do that.
If he’s able to, he’ll regularly feature in Schmidt’s plans.