Magical wing handed Wallaby debut
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt has named another debutant on the November tour in Western Force utility back Harry Potter against Scotland.
Fellow November international Wallaby debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii also returns to the starting lineup since his player-of-the-match debut against England.
Suaalii is primed for his biggest test yet for Australia, with the cross-code superstar back in the No.13 jersey for the Wallabies’ bid to claim a British Isles grand slam when they face Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
The side features six changes from the one that dispatched Wales with a half-century of points last Sunday.
Head coach Joe Schmidt will also be looking for a bit of magic from Potter when the English-born back will become Wallaby No.989.
The 26-year-old utility back will become the 18th Wallaby debutant in 2024 as he replaces Max Jorgenson on the wing who drops down to the bench.
It’s a big moment for the Western Force man who was born in London before moving to Melbourne as a 10-year-old.
Unable to make his Super Rugby grade initially, he went back to England and starred for Leicester in their Premiership title winning campaign.
With Samu Kerevi’s tour over after his red card against Wales, Len Ikitau will revert to inside centre with Suaalii at No.13.
Following his heroic debut against England, he was demoted to the bench for the Test against Wales.
After his head injury, Jake Gordon returns to the No.9 jersey replacing Nic White who falls out of the matchday squad which marks theee changes to the backline that carved up Wales.
In the forwards department, Harry Wilson returns to No.8 and will don the captain’s armband, while Carlo Tizzano will pack down on the openside flank with Rob Valetini completing the back-row at blindside.
The other change to the side sees Jeremy Williams back at lock.
Isaac Kailea has been named as the reserve prop in what will be his first appearance on tour, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Zane Nonggorr the replacement hooker and tighthead prop respectively.
Schmidt said: “The week has been complicated, with the freezing conditions ruling out training fields but the group have adapted well to the situation.”
“The core of the Scotland team has been together for a number of years. They’re cohesive and combative and we will need to be at our best on Sunday.”
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Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen
Date: Sunday, November 24
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 13.40 GMT (00.40 AEDT)
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)
