SYDNEY (AP) — Liam Wright will lead the Wallabies against Wales on Saturday after Joe Schmidt completely overhauled Australia’s squad for his first Test in charge.
Wright captains Queensland Rangers in Super Rugby from 2020, but has only played five Test matches for Australia.
That is of little concern to Schmidt, who retained just four of the starting XV from Australia’s final Test in a dismal World Cup performance last year.
Schmidt had a successful spell as Ireland manager from 2013-19. After a brief return to New Zealand, he moved to Australia a for replacement Eddie Jones in January and aims to put his own stamp on the Wallabies.
He picked Jeremy Williams and center Josh Fluke for their Test debuts and picked hooker Matt Fessler in the starting XV for the first time.
Williams will partner in the second row with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who returns from England with Northampton for his first Test since 2021.
Five of the eight reserves are uncapped, including flyback Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh. Another, replacement Billy Pollard, has played a Test.
Wright will become Australia’s seventh captain in two seasons on Saturday against Wales.
Prop Allan Alaalatoa and scrumhalf Tate McDermott, both selected on the bench, have led the Wallabies in that time.
Alaalatoa lost his starting spot to the recalled Taniela Tupou and Jake Gordon was selected to start at No.9 ahead of McDermott.
Tom Wright, who missed out on selection for the World Cup squad last year, returns at full-back and Andrew Kellaway will switch to the wing. Filipo Daugunu was recalled to start on the other wing.
Schmidt and Wales coach Warren Gatland, both New Zealanders, have a long history as rival coaches heading into this two-Test series.
And while Schmidt is determined to start his tenure with a win, Gatland must end a seven-Test losing streak, including a defeat by world champions South Africa last month at Twickenham.
Wales defeated Australia 40-6 in the World Cup group stage in France last year, but have not beaten the Wallabies on Australian soil in 11 tests since 1969.
Gatland has revealed a starting XV that contains a combination of halves with a total of three Test caps between them: scrumhalf Ellis Bevan coming off his Test debut and Ben Thomas starting at No.10.
Josh Hathaway was picked in the win to make his Test debut, the only uncapped player in the 23-man squad.
Skipper Dewi Lake will start at hooker and Aaron Wainwright will be at No.8 for his 50th Test, making him the most experienced player in the starting forward pack.
“We’ve had a good week of preparation here in Sydney and we’re excited to get out on the field on Saturday,” Gatland said. “This first test will be a big challenge for us.
“Test matches have all the nice margins and we know we have to be accurate, keep our discipline and stay in the game for the full 80 minutes.”
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Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (captain), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, James Slipper. Reserves: Billy Pollard, Isaac Kailea, Alan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietz.
Wales: Liam Williams, Josh Hathaway, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer, Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas. Reserves: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harry O’Connor, Corey Hill, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins.
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