Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has selected a new halfback combination for their Nations Championship opener against Ireland in Sydney on Saturday.
Carter Gordon and Ryan Lonergan will perform the crucial playmaker roles.
Gordon was preferred at No 10 to Ben Donaldson – Schmidt’s third different flyhalf in as many Tests.
He has never played a game with scrumhalf Lonergan, who starts for the first time courtesy of a long-term injury to incumbent Jake Gordon and with Tate McDermott on the bench.
Jock Campbell will win his fifth Wallabies cap at fullback in his first appearance since the 2022 win against Wales in Cardiff after a strong season for Queensland Reds.
He forms a back-three partnership with wings Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch while Exeter’s Len Ikitau returns in the centres to partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Veteran prop James Slipper, who has been coaxed out of retirement, is on the bench with Josh Nasser, Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row.
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The Reds’ Josh Canham is handed a first start in the second row alongside Jeremy Williams, with Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson filling out the back row.
“The group has reconnected quickly and we’ve worked hard over the past week to prepare as best we can for what is an exciting challenge against the No 3 team in world rugby,” said Schmidt, who will hand over the coaching reins to Les Kiss later this month.
WALLABIES – 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Josh Canham, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell.
Bench: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachie Shaw, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Tom Wright.
– AFP
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
The post Wallabies gamble on new halfbacks combo appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has selected a new halfback combination for their Nations Championship opener against Ireland in Sydney on Saturday.
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