Inside centre Samu Kerevi and back rower Rob Valetini will play their 50th Tests for Australia when the Wallabies take on Wales at Principality Stadium on Sunday afternoon local time.
Kerevi will bring up the milestone having made his debut in 2016 and has been selected to play his first International since the Wallabies last match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He’ll partner Len Ikitau in the midfield.
Back-to-back John Eales Medallist, Valetini will reach his 50th cap, remarkably only missing two Tests since 2020. He moves to the number eight jersey, with Harry Wilson ruled out, and will link with Fraser McReight and Seru Uru in the back row. Uru earning his first start in just his second Test.
Tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa has been named to captain the side in Cardiff and will combine with Angus Bell and Matt Faessler in the front row.
France-based Will Skelton has also been selected for his first Test of 2024 and will partner Nick Frost as the run on locks.
The experienced Nic White will return to the number nine jersey where he will reignite a familiar combination with flyhalf Noah Lolesio.
After scoring the match winning try in last weekend’s game, Max Jorgensen has been named to start on the left wing in place of the injured Dylan Pietsch, with Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright completing the back three, as right winger and fullback respectively.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa is again the substitute hooker and will work alongside Gold Coast juniors James Slipper and Zane Nonggorr as the replacement front row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Langi Gleeson the remaining forward cover.
Queensland’s Tate McDermott will again look to provide impact as the replacement scrumhalf, alongside Ben Donaldson who can cover a number of positions across the backline, while last week’s debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii rounds out the matchday 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “Last week’s Test was fast-paced and physical and we’ve brought in some freshness for what’s going to be another bruising encounter in Cardiff.”
“As a group we’ve worked hard this week, knowing that there will be plenty of pressure on us this weekend.”
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1. Angus Bell (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
2. Matt Faessler (13 Tests) – USQ Saints
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) (77 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
4. Nick Frost (22 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Will Skelton (30 Tests) – The Hills Sports High School
6. Seru Uru (1 Test) – Wests Bulldogs
7. Fraser McReight (23 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Rob Valetini* (49 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
9. Nic White (70 Tests) – Maitland Blacks
10. Noah Lolesio (26 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Max Jorgensen (4 Tests) – Balmain Wolves
12. Samu Kerevi* (49 Tests) – Souths Magpies
13. Len Ikitau (36 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
14. Andrew Kellaway (36 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (34 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (17 Tests) – Southern Districts
17. James Slipper (141 Tests) – Bond Pirates
18. Zane Nonggorr (8 Tests) – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (37 Tests) – Randwick
20. Langi Gleeson (11 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (38 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (14 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
23. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (1 Test) – The Kings School
*denotes 50th Test
Wallabies 25 defeated Wales 16, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 36 defeated Wales 28 on Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Wallabies 40 defeated Georgia 29 on Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 7 defeated by South Africa 33 on Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies 12 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies 20 defeated Argentina 19 on Saturday August 31 at Estadio Uno, La Plata
Wallabies 27 defeated by Argentina 67 on Saturday September 7 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe
Wallabies 28 defeated by New Zealand 31 on Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 13 defeated by New Zealand 33 on Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wallabies 42 defeated England 37 on Saturday November 9, Twickenham, London
Wallabies v Wales, 3:10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Wallabies v Scotland, 12:40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wallabies v Ireland, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Australia XV 10 drew with Bristol Bears 10 on Friday November 8, Ashton Gate, Bristol
Australia XV v England A, 2:00pm GMT, Sunday November 17, Twickenham Stoop, London
