Suaalii To Debut For Wallabies Against England

Rugby Au

21-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his Test debut against England on Saturday afternoon in London.

The former Australian Schoolboys and Under 18s representative has been selected at outside centre and will partner Len Ikitau in the midfield for the Wallabies in their first Test of the 2024 Spring Tour.

Suaalii is the only change to the starting XV from the side’s last Test against New Zealand in Wellington with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou making up the front row.

There are a total of 14 players in the matchday 23 who will play at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham for the first time, including second row pairing of Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams who start together for the fourth consecutive Test.

The backrow sees 2024 John Eales Medallist, Rob Valetini start at blindside flanker, with Fraser McReight on the openside and captain Harry Wilson at the back of the scrum.

Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio will partner in the halves for the sixth time this season as the men in gold kick off their first Grand Slam opportunity since 2016.

Dylan Pietsch retains his spot on the left edge after making his starting debut in Wellington, with Andrew Kellaway named on the right edge and Tom Wright at fullback.

Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa make up an experienced replacement front row.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will bring further experience off the pine as the substitute second rower, with Langi Gleeson to provide impact in the loose forwards.

Queensland’s Tate McDermott is the replacement scrumhalf with the versatile Ben Donaldson providing cover in a number of positions across the backline. Max Jorgensen rounds out the matchday 23, for what will be his first Test in the Northern Hemisphere.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The side has adjusted well to the travel and have had a couple of trainings up here to prepare for what will be a very tough challenge on Saturday.”

“Playing in front of vocal home crowds in some of the most renowned Rugby stadiums in the world is an exciting prospect, with many of the players on their first Spring Tour.”

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Wallabies team to play England at Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday
November 9 at 3:10pm GMT/2:10am AEDT (Sunday)

1. Angus Bell (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2. Matt Faessler (12 Tests) – USQ Saints

3. Taniela Tupou (56 Tests) – Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (21 Tests) – Hornsby Lions

5. Jeremy Williams (8 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers

6. Rob Valetini (48 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

7. Fraser McReight (22 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Harry Wilson (c) (19 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Jake Gordon (27 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors

10. Noah Lolesio (26 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Dylan Pietsch (4 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms

12. Len Ikitau (35 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii* – The Kings School

14. Andrew Kellaway (35 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (33 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (16 Tests) – Southern Districts

17. James Slipper (140 Tests)- Bond Pirates

18. Allan Alaalatoa (76 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (37 Tests) – Randwick

20. Langi Gleeson (9 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins

21. Tate McDermott (37 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (13 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

23. Max Jorgensen (3 Tests) – Balmain Wolves

*denotes uncapped

Wallabies 2024 Tests
July Tests

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

The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

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

Spring Tour

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

2024 Australia XV Tour

Australia XV v Bristol Bears, 7:45pm GMT, Friday November 8, Ashton Gate, Bristol

Australia XV v England A, 2:00pm GMT, Sunday November 17, Twickenham Stoop, London

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