Joe Schmidt ‘delighted’ for ex-All Black Alex Hodgman before Wallabies debut

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is “delighted” for former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman who has been named to potentially return to Test rugby against Georgia in Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

After starting their new era under Schmidt with two wins over Wales, the Wallabies have shifted their focus to an intriguing clash with Georgia. The Georgians are widely considered the underdogs but will take confidence out of last weekend's win over Eddie Jones' Japan.

The Wallabies will field a new-look starting side which includes 10 changes to the XV that got the job done 36-28 at Melbourne’s AAMI Park last weekend. Allan Alaalatoa becomes Australia’s third captain in as many matches, with the Test veteran named to start at tighthead prop.

Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight are the only members of the forward pack who have held onto their spot, and there are some key changes in the backline as well. But the biggest story out of the team naming is the two debutants in line to wear Wallaby gold.

Former Australia sevens and Junior Wallabies flyer Darby Lancaster has been named on the left wing as a replacement for Andrew Kellaway, and Alex Hodgman will become just the fourth man to play for the Wallabies and All Blacks if he comes off the pine.

“I know it means something to Alex himself. He’s driven to achieve and he’s not a young prop, he’s experienced, he’s played at the level in a Test match for the All Blacks,” Joe Schmidt told reporters on Thursday.

“He had a little bit of an up and down season with the Reds with injury, but when he was available I thought he did a good job.

“He’s very keen to grab the opportunity with both hands. He knows there’s a few other guys coming back from injury and that it’s, hopefully, a competitive position for us once we’re selecting the TRC squad.

“I’m delighted for him.

“At the same time, James Slipper, he got a whack on the shoulder and probably could have played but if it was a final or something. But as I said, we want to show faith in the squad and Alex is pretty excited about the faith we’ve shown and the opportunity he’s good.”

Isaac Kailea, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost and Angus Blyth make up a completely new tight five, while the return of Harry Wilson in the No. 8 jumper is another big talking point. Wilson is back in Wallaby gold for the first time since 2022.

As for the backs, Tate McDermott will partner Ben Donaldson in the halves – two men who both started in the 35-15 win over Georgia at Stade de France during last year’s Rugby World Cup pool stage.

Inside centre Hunter Paisami, try-scoring machine Filipo Daugunu and fullback Tom Wright have retained their positions with the return of Len Ikitau from injury an exciting update. While there are clearly a lot of changes, this is a team that boasts plenty of Test experience.

“One of the things that people don’t see is how hard guys are working behind the scenes and how well they’re training,” Schmidt explained.

“I think today, we lacked a little bit of cohesion because when you do make those many changes you do lose a bit of your rhythm and that’s a risk for us.

“But if we don’t do it, then we’re not quite sure where we sit with some of the guys in the squad and you don’t know when you’re going to lose someone… you’ve got to keep growing your depth I guess.

“We’ve got a very short-term focus, long-term view, and I know that’s a paradox but it’s a paradox that you almost have to employ.

“A number of them have been in the Test arena before. Guys like Harry Wilson, he’s coming back from injury, Len Ikitau (is) coming back from injury. It’s not like the first week where there were seven debutants.”