Sevens speedster to debut against Boks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sevens speedster Corey Toole will make his Wallabies debut against South Africa in Cape Town.
An Olympian with the Australia Sevens program in 2024, Toole, who plays for the Brumbies, will start on the left wing in place of Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a jaw fracture in the side’s win at Ellis Park last weekend.
It’s one of three changes to the starting side, with back-to-back John Eales Medallist, Rob Valetini, returning to the team at No.8, replacing regular captain Harry Wilson, who is being managed after limping from the field in Johannesburg.
Wilson’s club teammate Fraser McReight will skipper the side from the No.7 jersey.
A former Australia Under-20s skipper, McReight will become the 91st player to captain Australia.
He also took over as Captain in last weekend’s test after Harry Wilson left the field.
Tom Robertson is the final change to the matchday 23. He’ll start at loosehead prop, after James Slipper returned home under the HIA protocols, joining Billy Pollard and Taniela Tupou in the run on front row.
Nick Frost and Will Skelton are again named as the lock pairing, with Tom Hooper completing the back five of the scrum.
The experienced halves pairing of Nic White and James O’Connor has been selected for what is the second Test of the side’s 2025 Rugby Championship campaign.
White is the only player in the matchday 23 who was involved the last time the Wallabies played in Cape Town back in 2014.
Len Ikitau inches closer to his 50th cap for the Wallabies, starting at inside centre in his 45th appearance for his country.
He’ll again partner with Joseph-Aukuso Suallii in the midfield, the outside centre scoring his first try in a gold jersey last Saturday.
Toole’s club teammate Tom Wright will start at fullback for the 18th time in the last 19 Tests, with 20-year-old Max Jorgensen to line up on the right wing, completing the back three.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr will again provide ballast as the substitute front row, with Jeremy Williams and Nick Champion de Crespigny the remaining forward cover.
Reds skipper Tate McDermott is the reserve scrumhalf, having shown his versatility again in Johannesburg, spending time on the wing before finishing the game at No.9.
Tane Edmed is the replacement flyhalf, with Andrew Kellaway finalising the matchday 23.
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Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical Test match on the Highveld last week.
“We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend and we know that we have to improve leading into what’s likely to be a bruising encounter in Cape Town on Saturday night.”
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Iketau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andrew Kellaway
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Green Point
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT; 01:10, AEST, Sunday, August 24)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
