Latest news with #FijiTest
Reuters
6 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Wallabies Valetini, Skelton omitted from Fiji test
MELBOURNE, July 4 (Reuters) - Australia loose forward Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton were omitted from the match-day squad for Sunday's one-off Fiji test in a blow to the Wallabies' preparations for the British & Irish Lions series. The pair have been struggling with injuries, local media have reported, leaving coach Joe Schmidt short of experience and power for the match in Newcastle, the Wallabies' only warmup for the Lions series starting in Brisbane on July 19. Valetini, who was starting blindside flanker against Ireland in the Wallabies' last test in November, has been replaced by Langi Gleeson, while lock Jeremy Williams will partner Nick Frost in the second row in the team released on Friday. The Wallabies' season-opening test sees number eight Harry Wilson retained as captain and Joseph Suaalii resume his midfield partnership with Len Ikitau. Noah Lolesio remains at flyhalf but Tate McDermott will be starting scrumhalf in place of Jake Gordon, who has also been under an injury cloud, according to reports. Rugby Australia made no mention of any injuries to players in its team release, with Schmidt set to appear at a press conference later on Friday. With hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa released from the squad, Dave Porecki starts in the number two jersey in his first test since the 2023 World Cup. He lines up next to veteran props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa. Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter are the starting wingers, with Fiji-born Filipo Daugunu to provide pace off the bench. Under Eddie Jones, Australia were shocked 22-15 by Fiji at the World Cup before crashing out of the group phase of the tournament for the first time. "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," Schmidt said in the squad release. "I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd here in Newcastle." Mick Byrne-coached Fiji are looking for their first win in Australia in over 70 years. Team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Harry Potter, 13-Joseph Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Max Jorgensen, 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Tate McDermott, 8-Harry Wilson (capt), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Langi Gleeson, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-David Porecki, 1-James Slipper. Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Tom Hooper, 20-Carlo Tizzano, 21-Nic White, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Filipo Daugunu
CNA
6 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Wallabies Valetini, Skelton omitted from Fiji test
MELBOURNE :Australia loose forward Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton were omitted from the match-day squad for Sunday's one-off Fiji test in a blow to the Wallabies' preparations for the British & Irish Lions series. The pair have been struggling with injuries, local media have reported, leaving coach Joe Schmidt short of experience and power for the match in Newcastle, the Wallabies' only warmup for the Lions series starting in Brisbane on July 19. Valetini, who was starting blindside flanker against Ireland in the Wallabies' last test in November, has been replaced by Langi Gleeson, while lock Jeremy Williams will partner Nick Frost in the second row in the team released on Friday. The Wallabies' season-opening test sees Joseph Suaalii resume his midfield partnership with Len Ikitau, with Tom Wright playing fullback. Noah Lolesio has been retained as flyhalf but Tate McDermott will be starting scrumhalf in place of Jake Gordon, who has also been under an injury cloud, according to reports. Rugby Australia made no mention of any injuries to players in its team release, with Schmidt set to appear at a press conference later on Friday. Team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Harry Potter, 13-Joseph Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Max Jorgensen, 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Tate McDermott, 8-Harry Wilson (capt), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Langi Gleeson, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-David Porecki, 1-James Slipper.
The Age
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘Freak of nature': Why Wallabies teammates aren't among the Tupou doubters
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and his staff ran similar train-on sessions in Perth earlier in the week, and will head to Queensland next week. The groups are too big to revealing about much about Schmidt's intentions around who'll make the cut for the Fiji Test on July 6, and the Lions series thereafter. The coach intends to name a 40-man squad after the Brumbies finish up their Super Rugby campaign. They play in the semi-finals against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday. One man who is convinced Tupou should not only be in the squad, but will play a big role in the series, is his NSW and Wallabies teammate Angus Bell. 'I think (Reds' lock) Lukhan (Salakaia-Loto) said it a couple of weeks ago - we know how important Taniela is for Australian rugby. If we're going to compete and beat the Lions, Taniela will be in and around the team and squad,' Bell said. 'He's a freak of nature and we all know that. We know how important he is, and what he can do in his career best form.' Bell and Tupou became close friends when they were both going through long-term injury rehabilitation in 2023, and would travel to each other's home cities, Sydney and Brisbane, to train together. Bell said the players had faith in Tupou. 'He's working really hard at NSW and he's working really hard at camps to get himself there, and we believe in Taniela,' he said. 'He's happy and he's looking forward to the test, and he's excited too, as well as everyone else in Australian rugby, it's a pretty cool time. Taniela will be awesome this year, I reckon.' Compared to previous decades, the Wallabies have a respected top-tier of front-row strength, with Bell, Tupou, James Slipper and Alan Alaalatoa. Loading 'Alan's a world-class player. He's an amazing leader, and he's levelled up his game this year through obviously coming off the back of an Achilles rupture last year,' Bell said. 'Alan's absolutely killing it this year, and it's awesome to see. Same as James Slipper. James Slipper's probably career-best form too.' Experienced two-sider Tom Robertson will also be firmly in Schmidt's plans - and challenge Tupou for a spot in the 23 - after a superb season for the Force. Robertson, who has 24 Test caps, won the Nathan Sharpe medal for the Force's best player, which was no small feat given he edged out Carlo Tizzano and Harry Potter. Schmidt will be hoping for an injury-free few months because the next level of front-row depth in Australia is relatively shallow. Isaac Kailea was barely used by the Waratahs in 2025, and Alex Hodgman fell off Schmidt's radar last year. An interesting one to watch is whether Chiefs loosehead Aidan Ross, who has signed for the Queensland Reds next year and is Wallabies eligible, may be called into the Schmidt's initial squad.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Freak of nature': Why Wallabies teammates aren't among the Tupou doubters
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and his staff ran similar train-on sessions in Perth earlier in the week, and will head to Queensland next week. The groups are too big to revealing about much about Schmidt's intentions around who'll make the cut for the Fiji Test on July 6, and the Lions series thereafter. The coach intends to name a 40-man squad after the Brumbies finish up their Super Rugby campaign. They play in the semi-finals against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday. One man who is convinced Tupou should not only be in the squad, but will play a big role in the series, is his NSW and Wallabies teammate Angus Bell. 'I think (Reds' lock) Lukhan (Salakaia-Loto) said it a couple of weeks ago - we know how important Taniela is for Australian rugby. If we're going to compete and beat the Lions, Taniela will be in and around the team and squad,' Bell said. 'He's a freak of nature and we all know that. We know how important he is, and what he can do in his career best form.' Bell and Tupou became close friends when they were both going through long-term injury rehabilitation in 2023, and would travel to each other's home cities, Sydney and Brisbane, to train together. Bell said the players had faith in Tupou. 'He's working really hard at NSW and he's working really hard at camps to get himself there, and we believe in Taniela,' he said. 'He's happy and he's looking forward to the test, and he's excited too, as well as everyone else in Australian rugby, it's a pretty cool time. Taniela will be awesome this year, I reckon.' Compared to previous decades, the Wallabies have a respected top-tier of front-row strength, with Bell, Tupou, James Slipper and Alan Alaalatoa. Loading 'Alan's a world-class player. He's an amazing leader, and he's levelled up his game this year through obviously coming off the back of an Achilles rupture last year,' Bell said. 'Alan's absolutely killing it this year, and it's awesome to see. Same as James Slipper. James Slipper's probably career-best form too.' Experienced two-sider Tom Robertson will also be firmly in Schmidt's plans - and challenge Tupou for a spot in the 23 - after a superb season for the Force. Robertson, who has 24 Test caps, won the Nathan Sharpe medal for the Force's best player, which was no small feat given he edged out Carlo Tizzano and Harry Potter. Schmidt will be hoping for an injury-free few months because the next level of front-row depth in Australia is relatively shallow. Isaac Kailea was barely used by the Waratahs in 2025, and Alex Hodgman fell off Schmidt's radar last year. An interesting one to watch is whether Chiefs loosehead Aidan Ross, who has signed for the Queensland Reds next year and is Wallabies eligible, may be called into the Schmidt's initial squad.
