Veteran prop set to break George Gregan's record in Sydney
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Veteran prop James Slipper will become Australia’s most-capped Wallaby of all time when he runs out for his 140th Test against the All Blacks on Saturday.
After making his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will surpass George Gregan’s record after being named as the replacement loosehead prop for the Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand in Sydney.
Slipper is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four World Cups and this year broke the record for the most-capped Test prop ever in international rugby.
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In other team news, Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the starting side after recovering from injury.
McReight is yet to feature in the 2024 Rugby Championship, while Paisami’s knee injury kept him out of the tour to Argentina.
McReight will start at openside flank, with Paisami to partner Len Itikau in the centres as the Wallabies face a must-win match to keep alive their hopes of regaining the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2022.
Nic White will start at scrumhalf, partnering with Noah Lolesio who returns at flyhalf, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to win back the fullback spot.
Wright’s return forces Andrew Kellaway back to the right wing, with Marika Koroibete remaining on the left edge.
Apart from McReight, the starting forward pack is unchanged, with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou in the run-on front row, with the side set to wear their First Nations jersey for the second time this year.
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Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will continue their partnership as the run-on locks, with blindside flank Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson joining McReight as the loose forward trio.
Sydney’s Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021 after returning to Australian rugby from France this year.
He will join Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also overcome injury to be selected as the substitute lock, with Langi Gleeson to cover the back row.
Reds duo Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh are the replacement halves for the second straight Test, with Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch rounding out the matchday 23.
“The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said on Thursday as his side strives to rebound from a record 27-67 loss to Argentina in Santa Fe.
“We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.
Date: Saturday, September 21
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Kick-off: 15.55 (17.55 NZST; 05.55 GMT )
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
