Will Skelton. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Wallabies v All Blacks
Kick-off: 10:45pm Saturday 4 October
Optus Stadium, Perth
Live blog updates on RNZ
Will Skelton, standing 2.03m and weighing 145kg, has been named to start for the Wallabies in Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup test at Optus Stadium in Perth. Skelton returns from having to dash back and play for his La Rochelle club side in the Top 14, a situation that saw him ruled out of the Wallabies' last two tests.
He's one of five changes to the starting XV from last weekend's 33-24 loss at Eden Park. Jack Gordon starts at halfback, Filipo Daugunu earns his first start of the year on the left wing, Allan Alaalatoa starting at tighthead prop, and Tane Edmed selected to partner NSW teammate Gordon in the halves.
Alaalatoa will start in an all-Brumbies front row, with Billy Pollard named at hooker and Australian record holder James Slipper at loosehead prop in what will be his 151st and final appearance as a Wallaby, serving as the deciding round of the 2025 Rugby Championship.
Skelton resumes his combination with Nick Frost in the second row, while there is an unchanged loose forward trio of Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson.
Centre partners Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will continue in the midfield, while Daugunu joins winger Harry Potter and fullback Max Jorgensen in the back three.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of Australia celebrates with teammates after scoring a try. Photo: Photosport
Queensland's Josh Nasser has been named as the replacement hooker, with Tom Robertson and Taniela Tupou the bench props.
Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams will play in front of his adopted hometown of Perth for the first time, while Rob Valetini is named on the bench after recovering from injury.
Newly capped halfback Ryan Lonergan earns another chance in gold having come on to play 62 minutes in his debut last weekend, with James O'Connor paying the price for a mistake-strewn kicking display last weeked by beuing dropped to the bench. Josh Flook rounds out the matchday 23 in what will be his first test appearance of 2025.
"The squad has dusted themselves off from the disappointment in Auckland and they've worked away this week, in preparation for what's going to be another torrid test match against New Zealand on Saturday," said Schmidt about the sold-out match at Optus Stadium.
"The support has been fantastic this year, especially when playing in Australia, and we'll be hoping to put in a performance that is worthy of that support in our final home test of 2025."
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to his side as well.
Team lists
Wallabies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Will Skelton, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Tane Edmed, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Max Jorgensen
Bench: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Jeremy Williams, 20. Rob Valetini, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Josh Flook
All Blacks: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (Captain), 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea (Vice-Captain), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12. Jordie Barrett (Vice-Captain), 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Ruben Love
