Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch has earned his first Test start, named on the left wing for the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday night (5:05pm AEST).
After bringing strong impact from the bench in last weekend’s Sydney Test, he’ll combine with fullback Tom Wright and right winger Andrew Kellaway in the back three at Sky Stadium.
Waratahs leader Jake Gordon is the only other change to the starting side, returning to the number nine jersey to partner Noah Lolesio in the halves in what is the final match of the 2024 Rugby Championship.
In what is the Wallabies’ first unchanged starting forward pack since the first Rugby World Cup match last year, Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou will again pack down in the front row.
Hornsby junior Nick Frost and Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams partner in the run on second row for the third consecutive Test.
After a successful return from injury, Fraser McReight is again the openside flanker with Rob Valetini lining up as the blindside flanker in his 48th Test. Harry Wilson will again captain his country from the back of the scrum.
Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau continue to build on their midfield partnership as the inside and outside centre respectively.
Melbourne product Isaac Kailea returns to the matchday 23, forming a replacement front row alongside Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Allan Alaalatoa.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will again look to bring impact from the pine as the substitute lock, with Langi Gleeson selected as the back row cover.
Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson are the replacement halves with versatile Queenslander Josh Flook rounding out the matchday 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “We didn’t help ourselves last weekend falling behind early to a fast moving, high tempo All Blacks side.”
“We know we will need to start better than we did last week, with the physical edge and accuracy required.”
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September 28 at 5:05pm AEST
1. Angus Bell (32 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
2. Matt Faessler (11 Tests) – USQ Saints
3. Taniela Tupou (55 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (20 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (7 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (47 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (21 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (18 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (26 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors
10. Noah Lolesio (24 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Dylan Pietsch (3 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms
12. Hunter Paisami (30 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
13. Len Ikitau (34 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
14. Andrew Kellaway (34 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (32 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (15 Tests) – Southern Districts
17. Isaac Kailea (5 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
18. Allan Alaalatoa (75 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (36 Tests) – Randwick
20. Langi Gleeson (8 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (36 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (12 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
23. Josh Flook (3 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
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, 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 Estudiantes de La Plata, 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 v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wallabies v England, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, 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
