Wallabies give captaincy to rookie for first tour match
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Force flank Nick Champion de Crespigny will become the 92nd Wallabies captain in Australia’s end-of-year opening Test against Japan in Tokyo.
The Canberran will skipper the side in just his third Test, linking with Force teammate Carlo Tizzano and No.8 Rob Valetini in the back row for Saturday’s match at the National Stadium.
Queensland prop Zane Nonggorr has earned his first Test start in his 17th appearance for his country, combining with Angus Bell and Josh Nasser in the run-on front row for what is the first of five consecutive matches on the end-of-year tour.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Jeremy Williams are the starting locks.
Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch returns from a jaw fracture to start on the left wing, with fellow Olympian Corey Toole selected on the right edge.
Andrew Kellaway also returns from injury to be selected at fullback and finalise the back three.
Reds pair Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook will form a familiar midfield combination, as will Waratahs teammates Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed, who will start in the halves for the second straight Test.
Aidan Ross has the potential to become just the fifth man to represent both Australia and New Zealand in Test rugby, named as a likely debutant as the replacement loosehead prop.
He joins Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard and Force tighthead Tom Robertson as the replacement front-rowers.
After impressing in Australia A’s win over Japan XV in Osaka last weekend, Josh Canham and Hamish Stewart have both been named for their first Tests of 2025 as the replacement lock and playmaker respectively.
Regular skipper Harry Wilson has been selected as cover for the back row, while Ryan Lonergan continues to build experience at international level as the substitute scrumhalf.
The versatile Filipo Daugunu rounds out the match-day 23.
“It was great to get the group back together late last week in Sydney, and to welcome in a couple of new faces,” said Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
“The players have acclimatised well here in Tokyo and the whole squad is conscious of the threat the Brave Blossoms pose. They play hard and fast and are very tough to beat, especially at home.”
Wallabies: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Corey Toole, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny (captain), 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell.
Resplacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Josh Canham, 20 Harry Wilson, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: National Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 14.50 (16.50 AEDT; 05.50 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey (New Zealand), Morgan White (Hong Kong)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
