Wallabies: Rookie front-row a shock selection for camp as part of Lions build-up
Rookie prop Massimo De Lutiis and Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has made an early start to his preparations for the British & Irish Lions’ tour of Australia by naming a 40-man squad for a three-day training camp in Sydney in January.
The big news from Schmidt’s selection is the shock call-up of young Queensland Reds front-row Massimo De Lutiis.
Schmidt and his backroom staff will use the camp to conduct medical and physical testing on players ahead of their return to their Super Rugby Pacific clubs from annual leave.
De Lutiis, who is 21 years old, is the only uncapped player in the Wallabies training group and he is yet to make his Super Rugby debut for the Reds after missing the 2024 tournament due to a quadricep injury.
Highly rated
However, Schmidt and the rest of his coaching staff rate the former Junior Wallaby highly and he gave a good account of himself when he started for Australia A against England A at Twickenham Stoop last month.
This, after De Lutiis made a successful return to action from his injury against Wales and Tonga in July before featuring in the Reds’ tour matches against Saitama Wild Knights.
Schmidt has named only players plying their trade in Australia in his squad, with the overseas-based Will Skelton, Marika Koroibete, and Samu Kerevi not selected.
The squad includes several players who made their Wallabies debuts in 2024.
The camp will be the last time a Wallabies group will assemble before the commencement of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific tournament.
“These two and a half days provide a final opportunity to look back at the 2024 season, particularly our Tests in November, then have a quick glance at the programme for 2025,” Schmidt said in a statement.
“It’s also a chance for the Wallabies performance and medical staff to facilitate testing before the players from the Spring Tour officially restart with their Super Rugby Pacific sides.
“As well as those in camp, it’s great to see a number of players coming back from injury and others who did well for the Australia XV team, who we are looking forward to watching during the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.”
Wallabies squad for January camp
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Angus Bell (Waratahs), Angus Blyth (Reds), Josh Canham (Reds), Massimo De Lutiis (Reds), Matt Faessler Reds), Nick Frost (Brumbies), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Isaac Kailea (Waratahs), Fraser McReight (Reds), Josh Nasser (Reds),Zane Nonggorr (Reds), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Western Force), Billy Pollard (Brumbies), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds), James Slipper (Brumbies), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force), Taniela Tupou (Waratahs), Seru Uru (Reds), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Jeremy Williams (Western Force), Harry Wilson (Reds)
Backs: Ben Donaldson (Western Force), Tane Edmed (Waratahs), Josh Flook (Reds), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Max Jorgensen (Waratahs), Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs), Darby Lancaster (Waratahs), Noah Lolesio (Brumbies), Tom Lynagh (Reds), Tate McDermott (Reds), Hunter Paisami Reds), Dylan Pietsch (Western Force), Harry Potter (Western Force), Hamish Stewart Western Force), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs), Nic White (Western Force), Tom Wright (Brumbies)
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