Suaalii returns to the midfield for Scotland showdown
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will renew his rivalry with Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu for the 18th time at Test level when the Wallabies meet Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday.
Suaalii returns to the starting line-up in place of Isaac Henry, who is ruled out for the remainder of the Nations Championship after straining his hamstring in Australia’s 22-45 defeat to England in London. Henry had started the Wallabies’ previous three Test defeats.
Rob Valetini also returns to the starting XV, taking up the blindside flanker position to reunite with Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson in a familiar loose-forward combination at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
Valetini is one of three changes to the starting team. Carter Gordon returns at flyhalf after recovering from a fractured fibula to partner Ryan Lonergan in the halves, while Harry Potter is back at the venue where he made his Test debut.
Potter starts on the wing, forming a back three with Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright, while Suaalii returns to the midfield alongside Len Ikitau.
Western Force captain Jeremy Williams moves back into the second row to partner Josh Canham, while the starting front row remains unchanged, with Angus Bell, Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa retaining their places.
Alaalatoa is closing in on becoming the 14th Wallabies centurion, with Sunday’s match set to be his 98th appearance in the gold jersey.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa is one of three new faces among the replacements, named as the back-up hooker alongside props Isaac Kailea and Taniela Tupou.
ACT Brumby Lachlan Shaw will provide lock cover and make his first Test appearance in Europe, while Tom Hooper returns to the matchday 23 after recovering from a shoulder injury.
The replacement backs remain unchanged, with Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson providing cover at scrumhalf and flyhalf, while Filipo Daugunu completes the bench.
The Wallabies currently sit third on the Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere ladder.
Wallabies head coach Les Kiss said: “We’ve had a good week of training but after falling short of our own expectations last week it’s vital we transfer our hard work onto the field for the 80 minutes on Sunday.
“Playing Scotland on their home turf is a massive Test and we’re all determined to make our supporters proud by elevating our game to the level it needs to be.”
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Date: Sunday, November 15
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 15.10 UK & IRE (15.10 GMT; 02.10 AEDT Monday, November 16)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
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