The Joe Schmidt era gets underway when the new-look Wallabies welcome Wales to Allianz Stadium in Sydney at 7:45pm AEST.
It will be Schmidt’s first game in charge of the Wallabies since taking over from Eddie Jones’ disastrous stint in which the Aussies lost 40-6 to Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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If Schmidt can guide the Wallabies to victory, it will be Australia’s second win over Wales since November 2017.
Schmidt wasted little time in stamping his authority as he named Reds flanker Liam Wright as his captain along with seven debutants to take on the Welsh.
Wright is the latest captain in what has been somewhat of a merry-go-round role for the Wallabies, with the Reds star the seventh Australian skipper in the space of 12 months.
The Test against Wales also marks Wright’s first time representing the nation since 2019.
Jeremy Williams and Josh Flook are the only two starters making their debuts as Isaac Kailea, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tom Lynagh and Dylan Pietsch begin the game on the pine.
Rugby fans may recognise the Lynagh surname and they wouldn’t be wrong as Tom is the son of Michael Lynagh, a member of the Wallabies’ triumphant side that won the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
Wales enter the contest on the back of a brutal 41-13 defeat to the Springboks at Twickenham on June 22.
STARTING TEAMS
Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, James Slipper
Bench: Billy Pollard, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Tom Lyngah, Dylan Pietsch
Wales (15-1): Liam Williams, Josh Hathaway, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer, Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (c), Gareth Thomas
Bench: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O’Connor, Cory Hill, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins
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Source Agencies
