Wallabies set for a backline reshuffle for All Blacks clash – report

Eddie Jones will need to make at least one change to his backline to face the All Blacks but is set to make another for the Rugby Championship clash.

Jones will be required to name a new centre partnership for a third Test in a row while he is set to make a tactical change as well.

Changes to the Wallabies’ backline

Centre Len Ikitau sustained a shoulder injury in the act of scoring against Argentina in Round Two.

The Brumbies man fractured his scapula in the loss to Los Pumas and is set to be replaced by Izaia Perese or Lalakai Foketi for the clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 29.

That means Jones is forced into changing his centres again after starting with Reece Hodge and Ikitau in the first Test of the year against South Africa before shifting to Samu Kerevi and Ikitau last week.

While the Wallabies boss has no choice in the centres, he looks set to make another alteration with Tom Wright set to be axed, according to a report by The Roar.

This comes after a poor finish against Argentina from Wright. He spilt a kick, knocked on a pass and conceded an unnecessary penalty gifting Los Pumas a route back into the game when Australia led 27-24.

Jones was notably agitated by the last incident as he was seen by the stadium cameras slamming his headphones onto the table in the coaches box.

Full-back

The report adds that it remains to be seen who replaces Wright in the starting XV, but Jones is not short on options.

Andrew Kellaway is fit again, and following strong performances from Marika Koroibete and Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wings, Kellaway could potentially return at full-back, where he played against Ireland last November and twice against New Zealand in 2022.

Jordan Petaia is also back in the selection frame after recovering from injury and has filled in the centres for the Wallabies in the past while he played five games at full-back for the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific this season.

The versatile Hodge could also slip into both positions while Ben Donaldson and Carter Gordan could do the same, although either starting at centre is unlikely.

Meanwhile, in the pack, tighthead prop Taniela Tupou got through 40 minutes of action on his return from injury for Australia ‘A’, playing against Tonga.

Openside flanker and co-captain Michael Hooper is also set to be fit for the clash.

Quade Cooper slammed

There is also pressure on Quade Cooper’s starting role with former All Blacks flyer and now pundit Jeff Wilson slamming the fly-half’s performances.

“The Wallabies will look at the Bledisloe Cup and see they can completely turn their season around in one game,” Wilson said.

“Eddie will know that they’ll still find a way to get confidence even though they’ve lost two games.

“I still can’t understand why Quade Cooper is running this team because he’s not delivering.

“We know he doesn’t deliver against the All Blacks. How can he be wearing the No.10 jersey in two weeks’ time? Seriously?”

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