logo
Jorgensen and Suaalii to return for Wallabies against Fiji

Jorgensen and Suaalii to return for Wallabies against Fiji

The key questions that will be answered on Friday will be whether Will Skelton starts in the second-row or comes from the bench, and whether Zane Nonnggorr or Tom Robertson takes the role of back-up tighthead to Allan Alaalatoa. The choice between Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano and Tom Hooper for reserve loose forward will also be interesing.
Despite speculation there could be a change of captain, Wilson is set to keep the role for the Fiji Test, at least.
Loading
Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight said on Monday the habit of Schmidt not naming a captain when announcing a squad was not a huge issue.
'I don't think too many boys are worried, to be honest,' McReight said.
'Obviously, there's a leadership group, and there's full of experience in this team. There's plenty. We've got something like six Wallaby captains in this group and so many captains at Super Rugby, so there's plenty of leadership to lean on.'
Selection to play against Fiji will give players the upper-hand as far as consideration to play against the Lions in the first Test in Brisbane, although the players released have the welcome ability to play against the Lions in a Super Rugby side and storm back in contention - as Dylan Pietsch did in Perth.
However, the Lions series is not the players' focus in their Newcastle camp, said McReight.
'It's just all focused about Fiji. It's tough to say about the Lions … There are so many moving parts, with Super Rugby clubs needing more (players) and everything going on like that,' he said.
'That's the coach's decision. We're just trying to do our best to stay present and get through each training day. We work hard with each other and push each other really well. So I think that's the depth of the squad is that we've got a lot of competition in every position. It's got to be quite fierce at times.'
McReight said the Wallabies are aiming to pick up with where they left things on the Spring Tour, and evolve into a stronger side.
'It's just building on what we finished with last year, and all of last year. Those are the key fundamentals,' he said.
'Hopefully, obviously, now year two under Joe, we can build a stronger base and be a bit more clinical. Same sort of people around the group, so connection's going to be there. So hopefully, yeah, you can see some more attacking rugby, people more integrated.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

British Lions hit straps to sprint past plucky Reds
British Lions hit straps to sprint past plucky Reds

Perth Now

time4 hours ago

  • Perth Now

British Lions hit straps to sprint past plucky Reds

Hunter Paisami barged back into Wallabies calculations before the British & Irish Lions swallowed up the fast-starting Queensland Reds in Brisbane. The tourists were made to work for Wednesday's 52-12 victory in front of 46,435 fans at Suncorp Stadium after the hosts scored first and then lead 12-7 midway through the first half. Spots in the Wallabies midfield are at a premium with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set to combine in the centres against Fiji on Sunday. But bustling centre Paisami, after being pulled from Australia's camp to instead front up against the Lions, gave Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt plenty to ponder ahead of the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. His first touch was a rampaging run that set up Jeffery Toomaga-Allen's first try and he kept the Lions guessing with short kicking and stoic defence. When Kalani Thomas's grubber was brilliantly swept up on the half-volley by Josh Flook to score, the Reds looked a chance of joining their 1899 and 1971 side in knocking off the visitors. The Lions, who beat the Force 54-7 with 14 different starters on Saturday, were clunky early but found their groove approaching halftime. Andrew Porter burrowed over to put them ahead before No.10 Finn Russell, who booted four-of-four conversions before exiting after 50 minutes, straightened the attack and Duhan van der Merwe soared to score inside the left corner post. A wicked bounce denied Lachie Anderson an incredible try when the Lions didn't collect the restart and the ball dribbled dead. Lock Maro Itoje made an impact in his first outing as Lions captain and cashed in with a try after Bundee Aki's storming run and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park darted from the ruck. The Reds got desperate as the match opened up, Huw Jones plucking Tim Ryan's ambitious chip and racing 60 metres to score. Substitute Gary Ringrose iced the contest with an 85th-minute try as the tourists again passed 50. Hooker Matt Faessler, another Wallabies squad member, was solid in a 50-minute stint in his return from a hamstring injury while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (shoulder) put his case forward after being a regular in Schmidt's teams last year. Russell, the only Lion to start in both games, looked dangerous in his first partnership with Gibson-Park while flanker Jac Morgan earned man-of-the-match honours for his damage around the ruck. Coach Andy Farrell will have a chance to shuffle his deck again when the Lions play the NSW Waratahs on Saturday. They'll also play the Brumbies, who beat the tourists in 2013, and a combined Australia-New Zealand outfit coached by Reds coach Les Kiss, before Brisbane's first Test.

Wallabies look to reignite star centre combination
Wallabies look to reignite star centre combination

The Advertiser

time6 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

Wallabies look to reignite star centre combination

While injury clouds hover over a number of Wallabies, Len Ikitau says his centre partnership with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is starting to shine. The Wallabies battled wet conditions at their training session in Newcastle ahead of Sunday's Test against Fiji with the mood in camp dampened by reports key forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are battling calf injuries. While the Wallabies' staff are tight-lipped ahead of the team naming on Friday, it would be a huge blow for the Australians after giant lock Skelton also missed their last clash with Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which resulted in a shock loss. Valetini, who started at No.8 in that France match, has since been the Wallabies' most consistent performer, winning successive John Eales Medals. Coach Joe Schmidt won't take any chances with the star duo with the countdown on to the first British and Irish Test in Brisbane on July 19. First-choice halfback Jake Gordon is also expected to miss due to his troubling hamstring issue while Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh is still recovering from his hand injury. With the likes of Mark Nawaqanitawase, Carter Gordon and Jordan Petaia not even playing rugby any more and veterans Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi overlooked for selection, the Wallabies will field an entirely different starting backline to that which fronted in Saint Etienne. Ikitau missed the World Cup after fracturing his shoulder while Suaalii only crossed from the NRL late last year, with the pair first linking in the centres with a win over England in November. Brumbies gun Ikitau said they were starting to put some polish on their budding combination as Suaalii returned to action following his broken jaw. Other backs in line for a start on Sunday could include fullback Tom Wright, halves Noah Lolesio and Nic White and wingers Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter. "Just playing with any centre in the squad - I've played a lot with Hunter (Paisami) when I played 13 and am starting to get a good combination with Joseph," Ikitau said on Wednesday. "In terms of that, just making sure that we're getting some reps in at training and then just taking it out on the field. "He's a natural footballer and he knows how to play whatever position he gets put in, but for us it's just trying to get combinations in at training and trying to defend together. "It's knowing when he wants the ball ... just making sure that whenever I'm in a position to set the outside guys up, just taking those opportunities when they come." With the Lions showing their ability to play with width as well as their traditional forward-based game in their 54-7 win over the Western Force, Ikitau said facing an unpredicatable Fiji would be an ideal preparation. "Yeah, I think so because you don't know what to expect from Fiji when you play them - anything can happen," Ikitau said. "The Lions, they've got four different countries coming together and playing for the one team so it's just making sure that you're ready for whatever. "And it's no different with the Fiji team this week so just preparing for whatever and just making sure that we're on our game." While injury clouds hover over a number of Wallabies, Len Ikitau says his centre partnership with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is starting to shine. The Wallabies battled wet conditions at their training session in Newcastle ahead of Sunday's Test against Fiji with the mood in camp dampened by reports key forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are battling calf injuries. While the Wallabies' staff are tight-lipped ahead of the team naming on Friday, it would be a huge blow for the Australians after giant lock Skelton also missed their last clash with Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which resulted in a shock loss. Valetini, who started at No.8 in that France match, has since been the Wallabies' most consistent performer, winning successive John Eales Medals. Coach Joe Schmidt won't take any chances with the star duo with the countdown on to the first British and Irish Test in Brisbane on July 19. First-choice halfback Jake Gordon is also expected to miss due to his troubling hamstring issue while Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh is still recovering from his hand injury. With the likes of Mark Nawaqanitawase, Carter Gordon and Jordan Petaia not even playing rugby any more and veterans Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi overlooked for selection, the Wallabies will field an entirely different starting backline to that which fronted in Saint Etienne. Ikitau missed the World Cup after fracturing his shoulder while Suaalii only crossed from the NRL late last year, with the pair first linking in the centres with a win over England in November. Brumbies gun Ikitau said they were starting to put some polish on their budding combination as Suaalii returned to action following his broken jaw. Other backs in line for a start on Sunday could include fullback Tom Wright, halves Noah Lolesio and Nic White and wingers Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter. "Just playing with any centre in the squad - I've played a lot with Hunter (Paisami) when I played 13 and am starting to get a good combination with Joseph," Ikitau said on Wednesday. "In terms of that, just making sure that we're getting some reps in at training and then just taking it out on the field. "He's a natural footballer and he knows how to play whatever position he gets put in, but for us it's just trying to get combinations in at training and trying to defend together. "It's knowing when he wants the ball ... just making sure that whenever I'm in a position to set the outside guys up, just taking those opportunities when they come." With the Lions showing their ability to play with width as well as their traditional forward-based game in their 54-7 win over the Western Force, Ikitau said facing an unpredicatable Fiji would be an ideal preparation. "Yeah, I think so because you don't know what to expect from Fiji when you play them - anything can happen," Ikitau said. "The Lions, they've got four different countries coming together and playing for the one team so it's just making sure that you're ready for whatever. "And it's no different with the Fiji team this week so just preparing for whatever and just making sure that we're on our game." While injury clouds hover over a number of Wallabies, Len Ikitau says his centre partnership with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is starting to shine. The Wallabies battled wet conditions at their training session in Newcastle ahead of Sunday's Test against Fiji with the mood in camp dampened by reports key forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are battling calf injuries. While the Wallabies' staff are tight-lipped ahead of the team naming on Friday, it would be a huge blow for the Australians after giant lock Skelton also missed their last clash with Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which resulted in a shock loss. Valetini, who started at No.8 in that France match, has since been the Wallabies' most consistent performer, winning successive John Eales Medals. Coach Joe Schmidt won't take any chances with the star duo with the countdown on to the first British and Irish Test in Brisbane on July 19. First-choice halfback Jake Gordon is also expected to miss due to his troubling hamstring issue while Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh is still recovering from his hand injury. With the likes of Mark Nawaqanitawase, Carter Gordon and Jordan Petaia not even playing rugby any more and veterans Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi overlooked for selection, the Wallabies will field an entirely different starting backline to that which fronted in Saint Etienne. Ikitau missed the World Cup after fracturing his shoulder while Suaalii only crossed from the NRL late last year, with the pair first linking in the centres with a win over England in November. Brumbies gun Ikitau said they were starting to put some polish on their budding combination as Suaalii returned to action following his broken jaw. Other backs in line for a start on Sunday could include fullback Tom Wright, halves Noah Lolesio and Nic White and wingers Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter. "Just playing with any centre in the squad - I've played a lot with Hunter (Paisami) when I played 13 and am starting to get a good combination with Joseph," Ikitau said on Wednesday. "In terms of that, just making sure that we're getting some reps in at training and then just taking it out on the field. "He's a natural footballer and he knows how to play whatever position he gets put in, but for us it's just trying to get combinations in at training and trying to defend together. "It's knowing when he wants the ball ... just making sure that whenever I'm in a position to set the outside guys up, just taking those opportunities when they come." With the Lions showing their ability to play with width as well as their traditional forward-based game in their 54-7 win over the Western Force, Ikitau said facing an unpredicatable Fiji would be an ideal preparation. "Yeah, I think so because you don't know what to expect from Fiji when you play them - anything can happen," Ikitau said. "The Lions, they've got four different countries coming together and playing for the one team so it's just making sure that you're ready for whatever. "And it's no different with the Fiji team this week so just preparing for whatever and just making sure that we're on our game."

Wallabies' simple plan to get Suaalii firing against Fiji and Lions
Wallabies' simple plan to get Suaalii firing against Fiji and Lions

Sydney Morning Herald

time6 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Wallabies' simple plan to get Suaalii firing against Fiji and Lions

Ikitau was confident their partnership would continue to evolve and improve after the four Tests in the UK, adding it didn't matter what position Suaalii played, he had the talent to adapt and succeed. 'He's a natural footballer,' Ikitau said. 'He knows how to play whatever position he gets put in. But for us, it's just trying to get combinations in our training and trying to defend together, attack together … we saw on the spring tour there just the kind of plays that he comes up with.' As well as his athletic ability, Ikitau said Suaalii had shown in his four Test appearances that he was 'smart in defence and attack' and was his own harshest critic. Ikitau believes the Fijians' unpredictable, flamboyant brand of football – best illustrated by their boilover 22-15 win against Australia at the last World Cup – would be the ideal preparation for the blockbuster campaign against the Lions. 'You don't know what to expect from Fiji when you play them,' he said. 'Anything can happen. And I think with the Lions, they've got four different countries coming together and playing for the one team. 'So it's just making sure that you're ready for whatever. And it's no different with the Fiji team this week. So just preparing for whatever and just making sure that we're on our game.' Recalled lock Darcy Swain had a chance to run his eye over the Lions last weekend when he played in a Western Force side outgunned 54-7 by the tourists. Swain, who debuted for the Wallabies in 2021 and has appeared in 17 Tests, said the Lions were a level above most international teams. Loading 'It was pretty tough,' he said. 'They're a very skilful side and they're big, they're physical. They're just a really good side. 'Just think of any sort of northern hemisphere side, they're just a little bit better, obviously, because they're a combination of all four nations. They're obviously a lot better and they dusted us up.' Meanwhile, Wallabies forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton are reported to be in doubt for the clash with Fiji after suffering calf strains. The first Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store