Wallabies team: ‘Absolute freak’ Will Skelton returns as Joe Schmidt backs power game for second Lions Test
Wallabies lock Will Skelton and an inset of head coach Joe Schmidt.
The Wallabies have been dealt a major injury boost ahead of the second Test match against the British and Irish Lions at the MCG Stadium in Melbourne.
Will Skelton has returned to full fitness and packs down in the second-row alongside Nick Frost with Joe Schmidt making further changes in the pack and on the bench.
Wallabies power-up
Joining Skelton in the starting pack is Melbourne-born loose forward and back-to-back John Eales Medallist – Wallabies Player of the Year – Rob Valetini who starts at blindside flanker.
The standout Wallaby over the past few seasons is one of three changes to the starting pack, as he replaces Nick Champion de Crespigny in a loose trio that still features Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson.
In another boost, hooker David Porecki comes in for Matt Faessler in the middle of the front-row with the experienced props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa either side of him.
The backline remains unchanged from the one that started at Suncorp Stadium, with Jake Gordon and Tom Lynagh again the halves pairing.
Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will continue to build on their midfield combination, while Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen line up on the wings with Tom Wright at full-back.
Schmidt is clearly aiming to improve the Wallabies’ power game, which was lacking in the series opener, as he has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench for the second Test against the Lions. Andrew Kellaway drops out of the matchday 23 to accommodate the addition of back-rower Langi Gleeson with Tom Hooper also falling out.
Gleeson is joined by Jeremy Williams and Carlo Tizzano as the back-five forward cover on the bench, with the replacement front-rowers retained from Test I. They are: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell and Tom Robertson.
Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson will be tasked with covering the backline.
“The squad has recovered well after a very physical first Test and the week’s preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together,” Wallabies head Schmidt said.
“We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we’ll need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night.”
Skelton’s return could be pivotal for the Wallabies’ hopes of staying alive in the series, according to his club boss and former Lion Ronan O’Gara, who described him as an ‘absolute freak’.
“It sounds ridiculous that a lot can change with one man, but the guy is an absolute freak and I’m very one-eyed obviously because I see everything good about him,” he said.
“He does change a team, he does change an environment, he is so good, but he’s coming back from a period of time out.
“Usually it takes a game or two to find your feet, but Will can hit the ground running.”
Wallabies team v British and Irish Lions
Wallabies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Ben Donaldson
Date: Saturday, July 22
Venue: MCG Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:45pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
