Wallabies call up French-based lock

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made some changes to his team for the second of their year-end tour matches, against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.

Inside centre Samu Kerevi and back row forward Rob Valetini will play their 50th Tests for Australia when the Wallabies take on the Welsh Dragons.

Kerevi will bring up the milestone, having made his debut in 2016 and has been selected to play his first international since the Wallabies’ last match of the 2023 World Cup.

He’ll partner Len Ikitau in the midfield.

Back-to-back John Eales Medallist, Valetini will reach his 50th cap, remarkably only missing two Tests since 2020.

He moves to the No.8 jersey, with Harry Wilson ruled out, and will link with Fraser McReight and Seru Uru in the back row.

Uru earned his first start in just his second Test.

Tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa has been named to captain the side in Cardiff and will combine with Angus Bell and Matt Faessler in the front row.

France-based Will Skelton has also been selected for his first Test of 2024 and will partner Nick Frost as the run on locks.

The experienced Nic White will return to the No.9 jersey where he will reignite a familiar combination with flyhalf Noah Lolesio.

After scoring the match-winning try in last weekend’s game, Max Jorgensen has been named to start on the left wing in place of the injured Dylan Pietsch, with Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright completing the back three, as right wing and fullback respectively.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa is again the substitute hooker and will work alongside Gold Coast juniors James Slipper and Zane Nonggorr as the replacement front row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Langi Gleeson the remaining forward cover.

Queensland’s Tate McDermott will again look to provide impact as the replacement scrumhalf, alongside Ben Donaldson who can cover several positions across the backline, while last week’s debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii rounds out the matchday 23.

“Last week’s Test was fast-paced and physical and we’ve brought in some freshness for what’s going to be another bruising encounter in Cardiff,” Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt said.

“As a group we’ve worked hard this week, knowing that there will be plenty of pressure on us this weekend.”

Australia beat Wales twice this season, those defeats part of a 10-match losing streak.

An 11th straight loss on Sunday would represent an unwanted Welsh record.

But Schmidt insisted the pressure was not solely on Gatland and his team.

“It’s funny, I feel under more pressure than I was last week,” the New Zealander said.

“Last week, no one expected us to win. Suddenly, when expectations shift and you’re up against a team that are on a losing run, you’re expected to win.

“But it doesn’t actually mean anything in terms of the players running out and getting the job done. I think everyone feels pressure.

“I’m sure Warren is feeling some pressure, just like any international coach.”

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Date: Sunday, November 17
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16.10 (16.10 GMT, 03,10 Australia time, Monday, November 18)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) & Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)