Wallabies team: Winners and losers as ‘athletic’ back-row gets a shot, injury robs star of ‘lovely’ opportunity against Wales

Dylan Coetzee 11 Jul 2024 9:44 AM

Split with Wallabies Josh Flook, Charlie Cale and Liam Wright.

The second Test of the Joe Schmidt era arrives this weekend and the Wallabies head coach has named his squad to face Wales in Melbourne on Saturday.

There is a lot to unpack, even though there are only a few changes to consider, as Schmidt has opted for continuity early on in his tenure.

Winners

James Slipper

Last weekend he became the most capped prop in Test history and this weekend he captains Australia for the 15th time in the absence of Liam Wright. The loosehead is a Wallabies legend and his experience is invaluable for this young and growing side so it’s no surprise Schmidt turned to him to lead.

He will want to repeat the scrummaging efforts from the first half of last weekend’s Test as the Wallabies look to close out the series.

Charlie Cale

The injury to Wright opens the door for the promising number eight, who has turned heads in a big way this year through his athleticism and work-rate. He earned his first cap last weekend off the bench and looked very comfortable at Test level, so it will be fascinating to see him build an innings in his first start.

To allow him at eight, Rob Valetini shifts to blindside flank and on the surface, it looks like that loose trio may be more balanced than last week’s.

Angus Blyth

The big second-row got his first Test cap last time out and is rewarded for his solid shift with another go from the bench. Blyth is a massive body to have on the park and he will look to continue his good work in Melbourne.

Langi Gleeson

The back-row is a quality player, who perhaps has been unlucky with injury and selection preference in the past, gets a chance to make an impact off the bench. The Wallabies have good depth to call on in this department so any opportunity is a must-grab for the Waratahs man.

At 22 he is still remarkably young and Schmidt will be watching how he develops very closely.

Western Force half-backs

It is the first time veteran Nic White and playmaker Ben Donaldson have been named in a matchday squad for the Wallabies post-World Cup. One always thought White is in the squad for his experience to help balance the younger nines coming through which he will do with the added quality he still shows. A safe and responsible selection.

Donaldson may have thought he would kick on as the Wallabies 10 after being one of the only real standouts in France last year but he gets his chance off the pine. The Force man is very consistent with the boot and no stranger to attacking either. His ability to play 10 and 15 makes him a perfect option for the bench.

Josh Nasser

The hooker is set to make his debut and become the 13th father/son pairing in Wallabies history after his dad, Brendan, won the 1991 World Cup with Australia. It is a big moment for the Queensland man who has had a decent season and now gets a chance at the highest level.

James Slipper to lead Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies through injury-enforced change for Wales Test

Losers

Liam Wright

Brutal is maybe the word to describe it. Wright was handed a lovely opportunity not only to break back into the side but lead the Wallabies and now injury has ruled him out. Sports moves quickly and, with the side on such a clean slate with Schmidt, if the starting back-row fires this weekend he may fall out of favour.

Billy Pollard

The young hooker misses out to Nasser this week after doing little wrong in his cameo last time out. Schmidt is obviously exploring his options as he gets to know his squad better ahead of the Rugby Championship. His future may well depend on how the other hookers go this weekend.

Tate McDermott

The livewire scrum-half had a positive stint last weekend where he looked to pick up the pace of the attack in the second period. However, he misses out on this for probably the same reason he didn’t start last time out and that is his kicking game. McDermott is not a terrible kicker of the ball but Jake Gordon and White are experts in that facet.

Like other positions, Schmidt is probably exploring his options.