Australia team v England: Joe Schmidt gambles as $5 million recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii debuts in crucial role at the home of rugby
Joseph Suaalii and an insert of Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt.
Rugby Australia’s $5 million recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his union debut against England on Saturday at Twickenham Stadium.
The 21-year-old was named in Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad having made the switch from rugby league despite having played no professional union games.
That will change this weekend as Suaalii debuts for Australia in the number 13 jersey at the home of English Rugby with Len Ikitau partnering him in the midfield for the Wallabies‘ first Test of the Autumn Nations Series.
Suaalii is the only change to the Wallabies starting XV from the side’s last Test against New Zealand in Wellington during the Rugby Championship.
Australia team to face England
Tom Wright is retained at fullback and is joined the back three by Andrew Kellaway and Dylan Pietsch. Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio are the starting halfbacks with Ikitau and Suaalii in the midfield.
In the pack, 2024 John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini starts at blindside and is joined by fellow flanker Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson.
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Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams start in the second row for the fourth consecutive Test match while hooker Matt Faessler is flanked by loosehead prop Angus Bell and tighthead Taniela Tupou.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, and Allan Alaalatoa make up an experienced front row trio on the bench while Schmidt has selected a 5-3 split as Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Langi Gleeson provide further forward cover.
Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson and Max Jorgensen round out the matchday 23.
“The side has adjusted well to the travel and have had a couple of trainings up here to prepare for what will be a very tough challenge on Saturday,” Wallabies coach Schmidt said.
“Playing in front of vocal home crowds in some of the most renowned Rugby stadiums in the world is an exciting prospect, with many of the players on their first Spring Tour.”
Wallabies team to face England
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 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 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen
Date: Saturday, November 9
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Paul Williams (NZR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
READ MORE: How to watch England v Australia at Twickenham: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time
