Joe Schmidt has backed rookie flyhalf Declan Meredith for a second successive start, but made the surprise decision to bench one of his star players for his final Test in charge of the Wallabies.
Australia host Italy in Perth on Saturday knowing they desperately need a victory after losing six Tests in a row and winning just one of their last 10 internationals.
Meredith endured a difficult debut against France last week as the Wallabies squandered a 21-12 halftime lead to lose 42-26.
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Although Schmidt admitted afterwards that Australia’s inexperienced halfback pairing contributed to the second half collapse, he has kept faith with the 27-year-old playmaker.
Fit-again Ben Donaldson returns on the bench as flyhalf cover, while Jock Campbell has been left out of the matchday 23 altogether.
The biggest selection call comes in the back row, where loose forward Fraser McReight drops to the bench despite an impressive performance against France.
Western Force openside Carlo Tizzano has been handed the No 7 jersey and will start in front of his home crowd, with Schmidt seemingly looking to use McReight’s energy as an impact player after Australia conceded 30 unanswered points in the second half last week.
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There is one further change in the backline, with Harry Potter replacing the injured Dylan Pietsch on the left wing after the latter picked up a calf problem.
At hooker, Brandon Paenga-Amosa retains the starting role after Josh Nasser was forced off with a head injury against France.
Schmidt, who will hand over to Les Kiss after Saturday’s Test, said his side must produce a complete 80-minute performance.
“We’ve shown some encouraging signs, but we need to sustain our accuracy and effort throughout the match.
“The challenge for us this week is to perform at a consistently high standard against a dangerous Italian side, who were hugely competitive in the Six Nations, beating both Scotland and England as well as running other teams close.”
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WALLABIES – 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell
Bench: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu
– AFP
Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
The post Wallabies star benched for Schmidt’s farewell Test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Joe Schmidt has backed rookie flyhalf Declan Meredith for a second successive start, but made the surprise decision to bench one of his star players for his final Test in charge of the Wallabies.
The post Wallabies star benched for Schmidt’s farewell Test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
