Just a week after wowing the world on debut, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been benched by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in a re-shuffled team to meet Wales, which also sees the return of overseas-based stars Samu Kerevi and Will Skelton.
Suaalii turned in a strong performance at outside centre in Australia’s thrilling win over England at Twickenham but Schmidt has opted for a new-look midfield for the clash against Wales in Cardiff, with Len Ikitau shifting back to no.13 and Kerevi starting in the no.12.
It will be Kerevi’s 50th appearance for the Wallabies but his first since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, after the Japan-based centre was not used by Schmidt during the winter, or at Twickenham.
The mid-field switch is one of six changes to the starting side from last week’s victory.
With captain Harry Wilson ruled out due to concussion, prop Allan Alaalatoa will skipper the side, after also stepping into the starting side for Taniela Tupou. The big prop carried a knee injury into the England clash and was not named in the 23-man squad.
In his 50th Test, Rob Valetini has been moved back to no.8 and Queensland backrower Seru Uru has earned a recall to the no.6 jersey, in his second Test after debuting against South Africa in Perth in August.
Skelton will start at lock in the place of Jeremy Williams, who drops out of the squad, and Nic White has also been recalled into the no.9 jersey in the place of Jake Gordon, who suffered a nasty cut on his forehead against England.
Try-scoring hero Max Jorgensen has been moved into the starting side on the wing, replacing Dylan Pietsch, who has flown back to Australia due to a calf injury.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said in a statement: “Last week’s Test was fast-paced and physical and we’ve brought in some freshness for what’s going to be another bruising encounter in Cardiff.“
“As a group we’ve worked hard this week, knowing that there will be plenty of pressure on us this weekend.”
More to come
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