Latest news with #SpringTour
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Porecki returns for Wallabies amid concern over injured stars
Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki will make his return to the Wallabies for the first time in almost 650 days on Sunday after named to start against Fiji in Newcastle. But the injury-forced absence of star forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton has created some concern ahead of the British and Irish Lions Test series, which kicks off on July 19. Valentini and Skelton were not considered for the clash with Fiji after picking up calf strains in training, but there is confidence the big pair will still be available to meet the Lions in Brisbane. Halfback Jake Gordon was also not considered, after failing to overcome a hamstring injury. Tate McDermott was named in the no.9 to partner Noah Lolesio in the halves, with Nic White on the bench. Porecki has returned to the Wallabies no.2 jersey for the first time since the disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign in 2023, when the 32-year-old was promoted to the captaincy following a mid-tournament injury to Skelton. The NSW hooker suffered a chronic Achilles' tendon injury that kept him sidelined for most of 2024, and he withdrew from consideration for the Spring Tour due to the birth of his twins in November. After rescinding his invitation for a Wallabies camp in January due to Langi Gleeson signing overseas, Schmidt has turned to the in-form Tah backrower to replace Valetini and start in the no.6 jersey. Tom Hooper, another who has committed to play overseas next year, has also won a spot in the team, on the bench. Force dynamo Carlo Tizzano is the back-up flanker for a backrow featuring Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, who has retained the captaincy.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Porecki returns for Wallabies amid concern over injured stars
Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki will make his return to the Wallabies for the first time in almost 650 days on Sunday after named to start against Fiji in Newcastle. But the injury-forced absence of star forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton has created some concern ahead of the British and Irish Lions Test series, which kicks off on July 19. Valentini and Skelton were not considered for the clash with Fiji after picking up calf strains in training, but there is confidence the big pair will still be available to meet the Lions in Brisbane. Halfback Jake Gordon was also not considered, after failing to overcome a hamstring injury. Tate McDermott was named in the no.9 to partner Noah Lolesio in the halves, with Nic White on the bench. Porecki has returned to the Wallabies no.2 jersey for the first time since the disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign in 2023, when the 32-year-old was promoted to the captaincy following a mid-tournament injury to Skelton. The NSW hooker suffered a chronic Achilles' tendon injury that kept him sidelined for most of 2024, and he withdrew from consideration for the Spring Tour due to the birth of his twins in November. After rescinding his invitation for a Wallabies camp in January due to Langi Gleeson signing overseas, Schmidt has turned to the in-form Tah backrower to replace Valetini and start in the no.6 jersey. Tom Hooper, another who has committed to play overseas next year, has also won a spot in the team, on the bench. Force dynamo Carlo Tizzano is the back-up flanker for a backrow featuring Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, who has retained the captaincy.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Paisami hunting a Test recall and a Bundee encore
Hunter Paisami hopes it's not the last he'll see of Bundee Aki as the Wallabies wrecking ball dusts himself off from a Lions mauling and returns to camp. The Queensland Reds No.12 was immense in the opening stages of Wednesday clash with the tourists, his barging runs and clever kicking helping the hosts to a 12-7 lead. But the Lions stirred, their defence stiffening and attack clicking in a 52-12 win that followed a 54-7 defeat of the Western Force on Saturday. He lined up against Irish star Aki who, like Samoa-born Paisami, grew up in Auckland. Aki, 35, left the Chiefs for Connacht in 2014 and has been in Ireland ever since. The pair were deep in conversation post-game, catching up for the first time since squaring off on the 2022 Spring Tour. "I'm a big fan of Bundee," Paisami, who moved to Melbourne as a teenager, said. "He's been in the game for years and what he's done ... it's always special, always a good challenge to face him. "I was living in Auckland, watching the Chiefs ... his journey from the Chiefs to where he is now; I've always been a fan." Paisami, 27, exited Wallabies camp ahead of Sunday's Test against Fiji to instead face the Lions and will return on Thursday to submit his 'homework' to coach Joe Schmidt. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shape as the likely midfield pairing against Fiji but Paisami, who has 31 caps, gave Schmidt plenty to ponder. "For me, coming back to where I love and am happy, it's at Ballymore. So for me it was a bonus," he said of playing for the Reds instead of potentially earning a cap against Fiji. "For sure (I want to play for the Wallabies against the Lions) and that game there, I got a good taste. "Joe will be asking questions, where I felt the pressure from. "So I'll do my homework so when those questions come I know how to answer them. "Joe's just asking me to be myself. Try and bring that same energy from here." Reds coach Les Kiss, who will take over from Schmidt at the Wallabies later next year, said he "expected nothing less from Hunter". "Both of them (Aki and Paisami) were relishing the contest and Hunter was quality," he said. "Got us on the front foot. that's how we created the momentum. ... he was pretty good." Lions skipper Maro Itoje, rested against the Force, celebrated his first game in charge with a try while No.7 Jac Morgan was a deserving man of the match. The Lions will shift camp to Sydney ahead of Saturday's clash with the NSW Waratahs, coach Andy Farrell confident he has enough depth at fullback after Elliot Daly (forearm) was sent for scans in Brisbane. The tourists have already lost star Welsh halfback Tomos Williams for the series with a hamstring complaint while Hugo Keenan (illness) was a late withdrawal but is expected to be fit to face the Waratahs. Hunter Paisami hopes it's not the last he'll see of Bundee Aki as the Wallabies wrecking ball dusts himself off from a Lions mauling and returns to camp. The Queensland Reds No.12 was immense in the opening stages of Wednesday clash with the tourists, his barging runs and clever kicking helping the hosts to a 12-7 lead. But the Lions stirred, their defence stiffening and attack clicking in a 52-12 win that followed a 54-7 defeat of the Western Force on Saturday. He lined up against Irish star Aki who, like Samoa-born Paisami, grew up in Auckland. Aki, 35, left the Chiefs for Connacht in 2014 and has been in Ireland ever since. The pair were deep in conversation post-game, catching up for the first time since squaring off on the 2022 Spring Tour. "I'm a big fan of Bundee," Paisami, who moved to Melbourne as a teenager, said. "He's been in the game for years and what he's done ... it's always special, always a good challenge to face him. "I was living in Auckland, watching the Chiefs ... his journey from the Chiefs to where he is now; I've always been a fan." Paisami, 27, exited Wallabies camp ahead of Sunday's Test against Fiji to instead face the Lions and will return on Thursday to submit his 'homework' to coach Joe Schmidt. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shape as the likely midfield pairing against Fiji but Paisami, who has 31 caps, gave Schmidt plenty to ponder. "For me, coming back to where I love and am happy, it's at Ballymore. So for me it was a bonus," he said of playing for the Reds instead of potentially earning a cap against Fiji. "For sure (I want to play for the Wallabies against the Lions) and that game there, I got a good taste. "Joe will be asking questions, where I felt the pressure from. "So I'll do my homework so when those questions come I know how to answer them. "Joe's just asking me to be myself. Try and bring that same energy from here." Reds coach Les Kiss, who will take over from Schmidt at the Wallabies later next year, said he "expected nothing less from Hunter". "Both of them (Aki and Paisami) were relishing the contest and Hunter was quality," he said. "Got us on the front foot. that's how we created the momentum. ... he was pretty good." Lions skipper Maro Itoje, rested against the Force, celebrated his first game in charge with a try while No.7 Jac Morgan was a deserving man of the match. The Lions will shift camp to Sydney ahead of Saturday's clash with the NSW Waratahs, coach Andy Farrell confident he has enough depth at fullback after Elliot Daly (forearm) was sent for scans in Brisbane. The tourists have already lost star Welsh halfback Tomos Williams for the series with a hamstring complaint while Hugo Keenan (illness) was a late withdrawal but is expected to be fit to face the Waratahs. Hunter Paisami hopes it's not the last he'll see of Bundee Aki as the Wallabies wrecking ball dusts himself off from a Lions mauling and returns to camp. The Queensland Reds No.12 was immense in the opening stages of Wednesday clash with the tourists, his barging runs and clever kicking helping the hosts to a 12-7 lead. But the Lions stirred, their defence stiffening and attack clicking in a 52-12 win that followed a 54-7 defeat of the Western Force on Saturday. He lined up against Irish star Aki who, like Samoa-born Paisami, grew up in Auckland. Aki, 35, left the Chiefs for Connacht in 2014 and has been in Ireland ever since. The pair were deep in conversation post-game, catching up for the first time since squaring off on the 2022 Spring Tour. "I'm a big fan of Bundee," Paisami, who moved to Melbourne as a teenager, said. "He's been in the game for years and what he's done ... it's always special, always a good challenge to face him. "I was living in Auckland, watching the Chiefs ... his journey from the Chiefs to where he is now; I've always been a fan." Paisami, 27, exited Wallabies camp ahead of Sunday's Test against Fiji to instead face the Lions and will return on Thursday to submit his 'homework' to coach Joe Schmidt. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shape as the likely midfield pairing against Fiji but Paisami, who has 31 caps, gave Schmidt plenty to ponder. "For me, coming back to where I love and am happy, it's at Ballymore. So for me it was a bonus," he said of playing for the Reds instead of potentially earning a cap against Fiji. "For sure (I want to play for the Wallabies against the Lions) and that game there, I got a good taste. "Joe will be asking questions, where I felt the pressure from. "So I'll do my homework so when those questions come I know how to answer them. "Joe's just asking me to be myself. Try and bring that same energy from here." Reds coach Les Kiss, who will take over from Schmidt at the Wallabies later next year, said he "expected nothing less from Hunter". "Both of them (Aki and Paisami) were relishing the contest and Hunter was quality," he said. "Got us on the front foot. that's how we created the momentum. ... he was pretty good." Lions skipper Maro Itoje, rested against the Force, celebrated his first game in charge with a try while No.7 Jac Morgan was a deserving man of the match. The Lions will shift camp to Sydney ahead of Saturday's clash with the NSW Waratahs, coach Andy Farrell confident he has enough depth at fullback after Elliot Daly (forearm) was sent for scans in Brisbane. The tourists have already lost star Welsh halfback Tomos Williams for the series with a hamstring complaint while Hugo Keenan (illness) was a late withdrawal but is expected to be fit to face the Waratahs.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Paisami hunting a Test recall and a Bundee encore
Hunter Paisami hopes it's not the last he'll see of Bundee Aki as the Wallabies wrecking ball dusts himself off from a Lions mauling and returns to camp. The Queensland Reds No.12 was immense in the opening stages of Wednesday clash with the tourists, his barging runs and clever kicking helping the hosts to a 12-7 lead. But the Lions stirred, their defence stiffening and attack clicking in a 52-12 win that followed a 54-7 defeat of the Western Force on Saturday. He lined up against Irish star Aki who, like Samoa-born Paisami, grew up in Auckland. Aki, 35, left the Chiefs for Connacht in 2014 and has been in Ireland ever since. The pair were deep in conversation post-game, catching up for the first time since squaring off on the 2022 Spring Tour. "I'm a big fan of Bundee," Paisami, who moved to Melbourne as a teenager, said. "He's been in the game for years and what he's done ... it's always special, always a good challenge to face him. "I was living in Auckland, watching the Chiefs ... his journey from the Chiefs to where he is now; I've always been a fan." Paisami, 27, exited Wallabies camp ahead of Sunday's Test against Fiji to instead face the Lions and will return on Thursday to submit his 'homework' to coach Joe Schmidt. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shape as the likely midfield pairing against Fiji but Paisami, who has 31 caps, gave Schmidt plenty to ponder. "For me, coming back to where I love and am happy, it's at Ballymore. So for me it was a bonus," he said of playing for the Reds instead of potentially earning a cap against Fiji. "For sure (I want to play for the Wallabies against the Lions) and that game there, I got a good taste. "Joe will be asking questions, where I felt the pressure from. "So I'll do my homework so when those questions come I know how to answer them. "Joe's just asking me to be myself. Try and bring that same energy from here." Reds coach Les Kiss, who will take over from Schmidt at the Wallabies later next year, said he "expected nothing less from Hunter". "Both of them (Aki and Paisami) were relishing the contest and Hunter was quality," he said. "Got us on the front foot. that's how we created the momentum. ... he was pretty good." Lions skipper Maro Itoje, rested against the Force, celebrated his first game in charge with a try while No.7 Jac Morgan was a deserving man of the match. The Lions will shift camp to Sydney ahead of Saturday's clash with the NSW Waratahs, coach Andy Farrell confident he has enough depth at fullback after Elliot Daly (forearm) was sent for scans in Brisbane. The tourists have already lost star Welsh halfback Tomos Williams for the series with a hamstring complaint while Hugo Keenan (illness) was a late withdrawal but is expected to be fit to face the Waratahs.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
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.'
