Australia team: Joseph Suaalii starts as Joe Schmidt hands out an 18th debut in one of six changes for Scotland
Australia star Joseph Suaalii and an insert of Harry Potter.
Harry Potter will become the 18th Wallabies debutant in 2024 after being included in Joe Schmidt’s starting XV to tackle Scotland in the Autumn Nations Series.
His inclusion on the wing is one of six changes to the starting XV that beat Wales in Cardiff last week as the Wallabies continue their pursuit of a first Grand Slam since 1984.
Schmidt rings the changes for Scotland
Potter replaces Max Jorgensen on the left wing as he becomes Wallaby number 989 and is joined in the back three by full-back Tom Wright – who scored a hat-trick against Wales – and right winger Andrew Kellaway.
With Samu Kerevi suspended for the clash against Scotland, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns to the starting XV at outside centre, earning his third Test cap with Len Ikitau shifting into the number 12 jumper.
The final change to the run-on backline sees Nic White fall out of the matchday 23 as Jake Gordon reclaims the starting scrum-half role alongside number 10 Noah Lolesio.
Into the pack and Harry Wilson returns to skipper the team from the number eight jumper and features in a fresh loose trio as Rob Valetini starts at blindside flanker and Carlo Tizzano earns his first start this November in the number seven jersey after a standout Rugby Championship campaign. This means that Fraser McReight misses out on the clash with Scotland.
Will Skelton is named in the second-row yet again but he has a new locking partner in Jeremy Williams with Nick Frost rested. The front-row remains unchanged from the win over Wales with Angus Bell at loosehead prop, Matt Faessler at hooker and Allan Alaalatoa at tighthead.
There are further changes on the bench as Isaac Kailea earns his first cap this November as a replacement front-rower with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and prop Zane Nonggorr while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Langi Gleeson retain their roles.
Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson have again been selected as part of the three backs as Jorgensen completes the 23.
“The week has been complicated, with the freezing conditions ruling out training fields but the group have adapted well to the situation,” Schmidt said.
“The core of the Scotland team has been together for a number of years. They’re cohesive and combative and we will need to be at our best on Sunday.”
Wallabies team v Scotland
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen
Date: Sunday, November 24
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 13:40 GMT
Referee: Chris Busby
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace, Eoghan Cross
TMO: Ben Whitehouse
