Australia team v All Blacks: Joe Schmidt makes wholesale changes as James Slipper breaks George Gregan’s all-time record
James Slipper will become the most capped Wallabies player of all-time.
Prop James Slipper will become the most capped Wallabies player of all-time when he earns his 140th Test cap against the All Blacks on Saturday.
The veteran front-rower has been named on the bench for Australia’s Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship fixture against New Zealand as head coach Joe Schmidt rings the changes and welcomes back two stars from injury.
James Slipper goes ahead of George Gregan
In the backs, Hunter Paisami has recovered from the knee injury that saw him miss the two Test matches against Argentina, and he takes his place in the starting XV alongside fellow centre Len Ikitau.
Schmidt has made further changes in the Wallabies‘ backline with Nic White and Noah Lolesio taking over the starting halfback roles from Jake Gordon and Ben Donaldson – the latter pair dropping out of the matchday 23 altogether.
Tom Wright also returns from an ankle complaint to start at fullback with Andrew Kellaway shifting to the wing in the place of Max Jorgensen as Marika Koroibete remains in the number 11 jumper.
Into the pack and Fraser McReight makes his first appearance of the 2024 Rugby Championship after an impressive run of form in the July internationals. The flanker replaces Carlo Tizzano in the number seven jersey having overcome his injury struggles as Rob Valetini and Harry Wilson retain the six and eight jerseys respectively, the latter skippering the team once again.
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are the starting locks in an unchanged front five including tighthead prop Taniela Tupou, hooker Matt Faessler and loosehead Angus Bell.
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Having made his Test debut all the way back in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will surpass legendary scrum-half George Gregan’s record of 139 Test caps on Saturday. The prop is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four Rugby World Cups and earlier this year broke the record for the most capped Test prop ever in international rugby.
He features on the bench along with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021, as Allan Alaalatoa provides cover at tighthead prop.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also returns from injury to take his place on the bench providing back-five impact with Langi Gleeson while the replacement backs are Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh and Dylan Pietsch.
Wallabies coach Schmidt said: “The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year.
“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.”
Wallabies team v All Blacks
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 (c), 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, 21 September
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
Local kick-off: 15:55
GMT kick-off: 05:55
NZL kick-off: 17:55
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 15:55
BST kick-off: 06:55
RSA kick-off: 07:55
ARG kick-off: 02:55
