Wallabies: Joe Schmidt rings the changes with third captain plus an ex-All Black against Georgia
Wallabies front-row duo Allan Alaalatoa and Alex Hodgman.
Australia boss Joe Schmidt has made numerous changes to his squad for Saturday’s clash against Georgia in Sydney, with Allan Alaalatoa taking over the captaincy and former All Black Alex Hodgman is set to make his Wallabies debut.
Alaalatoa is no stranger to the leadership role after captaining the Wallabies previously and is their third skipper in as many Tests after Liam Wright and James Slipper led the team in their recent victories over Wales in Sydney and Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Hodgman, who has been named on the replacements bench, will become only the fourth player to represent both the Wallabies and All Blacks, and the first in 50 years, if he takes to the field at Allianz Stadium.
Test debut for young speedster
Apart from Hodgman, young speedster and former Australia Sevens representative Darby Lancaster is the only other debutant in the matchday squad, and the 21-year-old has been named to start on the left wing.
Lancaster is one of 10 changes to the starting XV from last week’s win over Wales and lines up in the back three alongside fellow wing Filipo Daugunu and Tom Wright, who starts at full-back.
Daugunu, Wright, back-row duo Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini and inside centre Hunter Paisami are the only players who have retained their places in the starting line-up.
Nick Frost, Harry Wilson and Len Ikitau will make their first Test appearances of the year, with Frost joining Angus Blyth in the second-row while Wilson packs down alongside McReight and Valetini in the back-row. Ikitau partners Paisami in the midfield.
In the backline, the Wallabies will have a new half-back partnership, with Ben Donaldson getting the nod at fly-half and Tate McDermott as the starting scrum-half.
The run-on side is completed by Billy Pollard (hooker) and Isaac Kailea (loosehead prop), who will join their captain Alaalatoa in the front-row. Apart from Lancaster, Pollard, Kailea and Blyth will also earn their first starts.
Schmidt is keen for his team to build on their victories over Wales but is not underestimating Georgia.
“Georgia have proven to be a very tough team to play as demonstrated by their wins against Italy and Wales in recent years, as well as their victory last week in Japan,” he said.
“They have added some very exciting backs to their traditional forward strength and challenge opponents across the park.”
Wallabies team to face Georgia
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Darby Lancaster, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Isaac Kailea
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Jeremy Williams, 21 Nic White, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Andrew Kellaway
Date: Saturday, July 20
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 15:45 local (06:45 BST)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
