Schmidt reveals selection gambles as Wallabies gear up for Italy
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Outgoing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is rolling the dice at the exit door, sticking with Declan Meredith at flyhalf and dropping Fraser McReight to the bench in favour of hometown hero Carlo Tizzano.
The Wallabies will be aiming to snap a six-game losing streak when they face world No.10 Italy in Saturday’s Nations Championship clash in Perth.
Schmidt has overseen nine losses from the past 10 matches, dropping his overall record at the Wallabies to 11 wins from 30 Tests.
A loss on Saturday in his final match in charge would result in Schmidt ending his reign with the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era.
Meredith was thrust into the starting playmaker role for his Wallabies debut in last week’s 26-42 loss to France after Ben Donaldson and Carter Gordon were struck down by calf injuries.
Despite Donaldson proving his fitness this week, Meredith will again be handed the starting role for the match against Italy, with Donaldson coming off the bench.
It means fullback Jock Campbell, who was the reserve flyhalf last Saturday after starring against Ireland in the No.15 jersey a week earlier, has missed out on a spot in the squad altogether.
In another selection gamble, McReight has been relegated to the bench despite scoring two first-half tries against France.
Tizzano will start in the No.7 jersey, with the Western Force star keen to impress in his first Test of 2026 in front of his home fans at HBF Park.
Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero is in line to make his Wallabies debut after being named on the bench.
Amatosero was suspended earlier this year after fracturing the face of his Waratahs teammate Angus Scott-Young during an ugly training ground fight.
Harry Potter has been named on the wing to replace the injured Dylan Pietsch (calf).
The world No.8 Wallabies are in the doldrums, with players vowing this week to send off Schmidt and assistant coach Laurie Fisher on a high.
Italy are also winless in the Nations Championship, falling to Japan (10-27) and New Zealand (17-47).
They will be without star second rower Niccolo Cannone after he copped a four-match ban for headbutting.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Date: Saturday, July 18
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Kick-off: 18.10 (12.10 CEST; 10.10 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
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