Liam Wright to captain new-look Wallabies as seven debutants named for Wales clash

[The InnFORCEr]

Thu, Jul 4, 2024, 9:58 AM
Nathan Williamson

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named a new captain and seven potential debutants to face Wales in Saturday’s first Test in Sydney.

Backrower Liam Wright will become Australia’s 89th Test rugby captain in his first starting game for the Wallabies and his first Test since 2020.

Tickets to Saturday's Wallaroos-Wallabies double-header in Sydney available here!

It comes after a stellar year with the Queensland Reds, with centre Josh Flook also included in the starting side on his debut.

Wright is joined in the back row by Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini, with Flook’s Reds teammate Hunter Paisami completing an all-Queensland centre pairing.

Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams has also been named to debut in the second-row alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

Salakaia-Loto is amongst a plethora of returning Wallabies that missed the World Cup, including prop Allan Alaalatoa in his first game back in gold since an Achilles injury ended his season.

Alaalatoa will come off the bench, with Schmidt opting for Taniela Tupou in the starting side.

Brumbies teammate Noah Lolesio comes back into the halves alongside Waratah Jake Gordon, with the two slated to be teammates in Toulon before a concussion ended Gordon’s French ‘joker’ deal.


Filipo Daugunu comes back onto the wing, days after re-joining the Reds whilst Tom Wright returns to the fullback position.

It’s an inexperienced bench with Isaac Kailea, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tom Lynagh and Dylan Pietsch named for their potential maiden caps.

Lynagh follows in the footsteps of legendary father Michael, who guided the Wallabies to the 1991 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Pietsch is set to become the 15th First Nations Wallabies and the latest debutant since Anthony Fainga’a in 2010.

“The squad has worked hard over the last week or so to prepare as best we can for what’s going to be an incredibly tough Test against Wales," Schmidt said in a statement.

The Test match will feature as part of a double header with the Wallaroos-Fijiana clash on Saturday night in Sydney, with all Wallabies games streaming ad-free, live and on demand in 4K UHD. Wallabies matches will also be shown live on the Nine Network.

Wallabies team to play Wales at Allianz Stadium, Sydney on Saturday 6 July, 7:45pm AEST

1. James Slipper (134 Tests) – Bond Pirates

2. Matt Faessler (5 Tests) – USQ Saints

3. Taniela Tupou (50 Tests) – Brothers Rugby

4. Jeremy Williams* - Wahroonga Tigers

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (30 Tests) – Randwick

6. Liam Wright (c) (5 Tests) – Easts Tigers

7. Fraser McReight (17 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Rob Valetini (39 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

9. Jake Gordon (20 Tests) – Canterbury Berries

10. Noah Lolesio (17 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Filipo Daugunu (7 Tests) – Wests Bulldogs

12. Hunter Paisami (24 Tests) - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

13. Josh Flook* - Brothers Rugby

14. Andrew Kellaway (26 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (25 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Reserves

16. Billy Pollard (1 Test) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club

17. Isaac Kailea** - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

18. Allan Alaalatoa (67 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

19. Angus Blyth** - Casuarina Beach Rugby Club

20. Charlie Cale** - Beecroft Junior Rugby Club

21. Tate McDermott (28 Tests) – Flinders Rugby

22. Tom Lynagh** - University of Queensland

23. Dylan Pietsch** - Leeton Phantoms

*denotes debut

**denotes potential debut

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallab...stralia-202473

[The InnFORCEr]

Thomas in as Gatland rings Wales changes for Wallabies
Staff Writers
Reuters
July 4, 2024 8:39AM


Ben Thomas will play five-eighth for Wales for the first time in three years and Josh Hathaway will make his debut on the wing after Warren Gatland overhauled his team for the first Test against Australia.

Wales, beaten 41-13 by world champions South Africa at Twickenham two weeks ago, thrashed the Wallabies 40-6 at last year's World Cup - but only three starters from that clash in Lyon will back up at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.

Thomas - an inside centre at club level - will play outside his Cardiff teammate Ellis Bevan, the halfback who made his debut against the Springboks.

Hathaway gets his chance on the right wing with Liam Williams moving to fullback and Aaron Wainwright making his 50th appearance for Wales at No.8.

Hooker Dewi Lake will again captain the side from the front row alongside Sydney-born prop Archie Griffin, who gets his first Test start at tighthead in place of the injured Keiron Assiratti.

Gatland has chosen a new second row in Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza, while Tommy Reffell returns at openside flanker for James Botham after missing the South Africa loss through injury.

Wales have not won a Test against the Wallabies in Australia since 1969 and their opponents will be keen to hit the ground running in their first match under new coach Joe Schmidt.

"This first Test is going to be a great challenge for us," Gatland said.

"Test matches are all about fine margins and we know we need to be accurate, keep our discipline and stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes.

"There's a lot of talent within the Australia squad and we know they will want to come out firing and put in a performance against us this weekend."

Wales squad:


15. Liam Williams, 14. Josh Hathaway, 13. Owen Watkin, 12. Mason Grady, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Ben Thomas, 9. Ellis Bevan, 8. Aaron Wainwright, 7. Tommy Reffell, 6. Taine Plumtree, 5. Dafydd Jenkins, 4. Christ Tshiunza, 3. Archie Griffin, 2. Dewi Lake (capt), 1. Gareth Thomas.

Replacements: 16. Evan Lloyd, 17. Kemsley Mathias, 18. Harri O'Connor, 19. Cory Hill, 20. James Botham, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Sam Costelow, 23. Nick Tompkins.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/ru...ies-c-15237265

[shasta]

Awesome for Jeremy. Looks like Joe sees past the "heartland" blindspot. Go you good thing.

[Burgs]

Some interesting selections and Jumbuck Joe has certainly made the Squad his own!
I can see arguments both ways around starting or benching Tupou.
Still don't really have any idea who Kailea "is", will either prove inspired or reckless I guess.
Managed 6 starts from 13 outings this season and managed a solitary "Team of the Week" in their thrashing by the Blues in Round 11, might have to go back and rewatch that to get inspired...
Awesome news for Williams and I feel deserved for a Cap, but perhaps surprised being a Starting Debut.
I'm confident he is up for it though.
The Backrow is arguably our strongest combination from those available in the Squad.
Still don't really get support for Gordon, however, given the Lynagh Debut, I think good that he is paired with McDermott.
The Outside Backs are probably as forecast and time for the contenders to put up or shut up.
Interesting also that there's no talk, at least in this article, of VC's or a "Leadership Group".
It is my understanding that the Captaincy is currently match by match.

[Garry Owen]

Some interesting selections and Jumbuck Joe has certainly made the Squad his own!
I can see arguments both ways around starting or benching Tupou.
Still don't really have any idea who Kailea "is", will either prove inspired or reckless I guess.
Managed 6 starts from 13 outings this season and managed a solitary "Team of the Week" in their thrashing by the Blues in Round 11, might have to go back and rewatch that to get inspired...
Awesome news for Williams and I feel deserved for a Cap, but perhaps surprised being a Starting Debut.
I'm confident he is up for it though.
The Backrow is arguably our strongest combination from those available in the Squad.
Still don't really get support for Gordon, however, given the Lynagh Debut, I think good that he is paired with McDermott.
The Outside Backs are probably as forecast and time for the contenders to put up or shut up.
Interesting also that there's no talk, at least in this article, of VC's or a "Leadership Group".
It is my understanding that the Captaincy is currently match by match.

Great for Williams. I think Donaldson very unlucky to lose out to Lynagh. I was at the force v qld game here and lynagh was useless, a turnstyle in defence and his kicking out of hand was at least 10 metres shorter than donno

[chiraag]

Some interestintg selections indeed. Very happy for Williams and I reckon he'll be excellent - can't remember a bad or average game from him over the last couple of years.

I'd definitely have Hodgman over both Kailea and Slipper, White over Gordon, Donaldson over Lynagh and Kuenzle or Lancaster over Pietsch though.
Has a bit of a feel of Joe giving some of the younger and unknown guys a go to see if they're up for it before we get to the tougher games in the Rugby Champiobnship. At least I kind of hope that's what he's doing with some of these selections.
Either way, there's surely got to be a fair bit of improvement over the Eddie sh!tshow!

[Kernow]

Some interestintg selections indeed. Very happy for Williams and I reckon he'll be excellent - can't remember a bad or average game from him over the last couple of years.

I'd definitely have Hodgman over both Kailea and Slipper, White over Gordon, Donaldson over Lynagh and Kuenzle or Lancastger over Pietsch though.
Has a bit of a feel of Joe giving some of the younger and unknown guys a go to see if they're up for it before we get to the tougher games in the Rugby Champiobnship. At least I kind of hope that's what he's doing with some of these selections.
Either way, there's surely got to be a fair bit of improvement over the Eddie sh!tshow!

I agree, I get the sense that he's put a team together that is strong enough to beat Wales but keeps some of the combinations/ big guns in the wings for the later in the international season

[Burgs]

Re the Halves, perhaps he is committing to my preferred method of backing existing combinations and we will see a White-Donaldson 9-10 or 21-22 next match.
I think safe to say it will take a few matches before we understand the extent of the cunning plan at hand.

[Burgs]

Wallabies coach Schmidt backs 'nautral leader' Wright for Wales clash

Thu, Jul 4, 2024, 2:03 PM
AAP and Nathan Williamson

Joe Schmidt has elevated "natural leader" Liam Wright to Wallabies skipper for his first Test side since replacing Eddie Jones as coach.

Wright is the seventh Wallabies captain appointed in little more than a year, following on from Michael Hooper, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Will Skelton, Tate McDermott and Dave Porecki, who all led the side during Jones' 10-month tenure.

The blindside flanker has captained the Queensland Reds since 2020 and will lead his country for the first time in Australia's opening Test of the year against Wales in Sydney on Saturday night.

"Liam, he's really understated. He's a leader in a Super Rugby team anyway, and so he's got that leadership experience," Schmidt said.

"He was identified by the players as a natural leader in the group. He's a lineout caller, so he already has a responsibility in the team.

"Not that he calls all the lineouts, but it's one of the things that he contributes to.

"So what all the coaches liked about Liam is, he doesn't really say that much. He just gets on and gets the job done really well."

But asked if he viewed the 26-year-old as a long-term captain, Schmidt said: "At the moment, everything's pretty short-term, including our preparation.

"For this weekend, it was a discussion around who's likely to stay on for a long period of time, who already has a responsibility in the team.

"Not all the players that were selected wanted the responsibility either. Some players just want to get on and get their own job done, and while Liam didn't put himself forward, he's accepted the challenge."

Wright joins Reds teammate Fraser McReight and the Brumbies' reigning John Eales medallist Rob Valetini in Australia's starting back row.

Schmidt, still getting to know most of the players, said club combinations were key to many tight selection calls.

"We were trying to get balance in a whole lot of ways," he said.

"Some of it is around guys who already have a relationship in their Super (teams), so we've got Tate and Tom coming off the bench. They've got a really good relationship.

"You've got Hunter and Josh in the middle of the field. There's a few combinations like that."

[Burgs]

ANALYSIS: Schmidt's first team list tips hat to key pillers in new Wallabies squad

Thu, Jul 4, 2024, 3:31 PM
Nathan Williamson

With Joe Schmidt's first team list, the coach has earmarked the key pillars of the Wallabies style that will drive them into the future.

Schmidt broke down his squad to the media and with each response, his vision around each position group came to life.

There are seven debutants but most will enter the field with a familiar or experienced mentor to guide them through the pressures of international football.

Josh Flook and Hunter Paisami have been centre partners for two years for the Reds and complement each other perfectly. Likewise, debutant Tom Lynagh could be asked to come on and decide a game in the balance but will have regular halves partner Tate McDermott and his Reds centres outside him to control the contest.

Charlie Cale will likely be greeted by back-row partner Rob Valetini, with Angus Blyth coming off with club co-captain Liam Wright and/or former lock partner Lukhan Salakaia-Loto on the field.

Isaac Kailea and Billy Pollard have a single cap between them but the wisdom of Allan Alaalatoa, a club teammate of Pollard, will settle the nerves in the crucial moments.

Even Dylan Pietsch has had time to form his connection with Filipo Daugunu, Tom Wright and Josh Flook on October's Australia A/Barbarians tour, with Daugunu's experience across the midfield vital in dealing with multiple different shapes Wales will present to try to break down the Wallabies defence.

"We were trying to get balance in a whole lot of ways," Schmidt said.

"... What we're hoping to get out of the bench is that individuals who come on, they come into some experience around them.

"Experience is never going to be a solution in itself but it can contribute to a little bit of confidence and certainty around doing your role and then making sure that the player slots in as seamlessly as possible."

Liam Wright will hold the rare distinction of captaining on his starting debut, but the side is filled with further leadership around him.

Schmidt has made it clear the leadership group is what mattered to him, not the man with the (c) and the selection of every fit Australian Super Rugby captain (three stand-alone, two co-captains) in the 23 and several further with captaincy experience shows just how valued that trait is.

Wright will take the lineout calling responsibilities and has regular thrower Matt Faessler ready to hit his targets.

There's also an element of picking specialist players to do their role, with Schmidt's reasoning for picking Jake Gordon revolving around the nine being the sharpest passing game of the nine coupled with the big boot.

Noah Lolesio is the best statistical goal kicker in Super Rugby, with the two halves starting several games together in 2021 and 2022 in the gold jersey.

The Wright and McReight combo are two of the best in terms of attacking and defensive break-down effectiveness, with Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou there to bend the line with their carries.

Salakaia-Loto and Williams are tasked with solidifying all three aspects of the set piece - lineout, maul and restart - with Slipper looking to get the upper hand on one-Test tighthead Archie Griffin early to unsettle the Sydney-born Bath prop yet to make a Premiership start.

At the back, Tom Wright is the creative wizard with the licence to play unstructured footy with a pair of great finishers in Daugunu and Andrew Kellaway ready to capitalise on any half break.

Ultimately, it's a 23 picked to defy the short turnaround and get Schmidt's tenure off to the perfect start.