Wallabies name Joseph Suaalii to face Fiji after broken jaw injury
Australian rugby's $5 million man Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been given the all-clear to play his first Test on home soil when the injury-hit Wallabies take on Fiji at Newcastle on Sunday in a warm-up for the British & Irish Lions series.
Suaalii has been sidelined since mid-May when he broke his jaw playing for New South Wales against Queensland but the 21-year-old NRL convert has made a quick recovery and been named for the Wallabies at outside centre.
His return will come as a massive boost to an Australian side, already weakened by the absence of several senior players, including two-time John Eales medallist Rob Valetini, halfback Jake Gordon and giant lock Will Skelton, who captained the Wallabies at the last World Cup.
All three are carrying injuries and hopeful of being fit for the first Test against the Lions, kicking off July 19.
Australia's centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been picked to face Fiji. Picture: AFP
Queensland Reds backrower Harry Wilson retains the captaincy, at least for the match against Fiji, after head coach Joe Schmidt appointed him as skipper last year.
Langi Gleeson replaced Valetini at blindside flanker with Carlo Tizzano named on the bench as the reserve loose forward.
With Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams retained as the starting locks, Tom Hooper comes into the side as the backup second row in the absence of Skelton.
Livewire Queensland halfback Tate McDermott will feed the scrum with Nic White on the bench.
Elsewhere, electric winger Max Jorgensen returned from an ankle injury to earn a spot in the starting side in the left wing, with Harry Potter on the other side.
Former skipper Dave Porecki was named as the starting hooker in his first match in the gold jersey since the World Cup.
The biggest surprise was the selection of veteran prop James Slipper as the starting loose-head.
Angus Bell has been the preferred starter because he's such a powerful ball runner but will come off the bench against Fiji.
Despite the injuries, Schmidt said his reshuffled side had gelled well ahead of what is expected to be a highly physical clash with the Pacific Islanders.
'The whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from our assembly through to the Test on Sunday against Fiji.'
'I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd here in Newcastle, as we kick off an exciting but incredibly demanding 2025 Test match schedule.'
Originally published as Wallabies announced XV to face Fiji, with star Joseph Suaalii set to return from broken jaw
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