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Wallabies' halves merry-go-round continues as team to face All Blacks named
By Ben Smith
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has once again changed the halves pair as they prepare to take on the All Blacks in Sydney.
The Santa Fe starting pair Jake Gordon and Ben Donaldson have been replaced by the Perth No 9 and 10 combination, Nic White and Noah Lolesio. Reds pair Tom Lynagh and Tate McDermott have been named on the bench.
In another surprise, hooker Brandon Paeaga-Amosa has been parachuted into the 23 directly from France from Montpellier. The former Reds hooker last played for Australia in 2021 and will deputise for Matt Faessler on the bench.
In a major boost for the Wallabies and only change to the forward pack, openside flanker Fraser McReight has been named to start with impressive upstart Carlo Tizzano making way for the Reds star.
The tight five remains unchanged with Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell forming the front row with Faessler and Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams forming the second row.
Wallabies team to take on the All Blacks:
1. Angus Bell (31 Tests)
2. Matt Faessler (10 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (54 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (19 Tests)
5. Jeremy Williams (6 Tests)
6. Rob Valetini (46 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (20 Tests)
8. Harry Wilson (c) (17 Tests)
9. Nic White (69 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (23 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (62 Tests)
12. Hunter Paisami (29 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (33 Tests)
14. Andrew Kellaway (33 Tests)
15. Tom Wright (31 Tests)
Reserves
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (14 Tests)
17. James Slipper (139 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (74 Tests)
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (35 Tests)
20. Langi Gleeson (7 Tests)
21. Tate McDermott (35 Tests)
22. Tom Lynagh (3 Tests)
23. Dylan Pietsch (2 Tests)
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Latest Comments
I think it's the least likely possibility Ed.
Go to commentsScotland should win this one, considering they are the settled team compared to Australia. However, that is no guarantee that they will win. The Aussies tails is up, and they are throwing everything at the opposition.
When the Aussie fans cracked up and got angry when Joe Schmidt was appointed, I said to them to be patient, that he will get them on the right track. They said that he is not Australian and he won nothing. Second best. I should mind my own business because I don't know the Aussie ways, which is true as I'm SA.
However, now that he is bringing in results, they are all changing their minds. Joe is all in when he coaches a team. There is no team he supports more than the team he coaches. His quality is shining through properly now.
It's going to be a very tight game, much tighter than people realise. Both teams is playing exciting rugby right now. They both want to win. I'd even go as far as marking this game as the top game of the weekend.
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