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The 42
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Skelton and Valetini missing as Schmidt shows Wallabies' hand
THE WALLABIES WILL be without heavyweight forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini for Sunday's clash with Fiji, their only game before taking on the British and Irish Lions in the three-Test series. La Rochelle lock Skelton and Brumbies back row Valetini are carrying injuries that have made them doubts for the opening meeting with the Lions on 19 July, while scrum-half Jake Gordon also misses out this weekend. Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt hasn't sprung any big selection surprises with his team for this weekend's meeting with Fiji in Newcastle, a couple of hours north of Sydney. Number eight Harry Wilson continues in the captaincy role he took on last year, while Noah Lolesio retains the number 10 shirt. Flanker Langi Gleeson – who will join Montpellier in France later this year – starts against Fiji in Valetini's absence. There had been speculation in Australia that Gleeson and others could be overlooked by Schmidt due to their future moves abroad, but he is rewarded for his superb season for the Waratahs. Advertisement 32-year-old Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki, who previously played for London Irish, comes into the starting XV from the cold, having last played for the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup. Reds scrum-half Tate McDermott takes the number nine shirt as regular starter Gordon misses out through injury. Schmidt hopes to have Gordon back in time for the first Lions Test. Superstar rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will continue in the Wallabies' number 13 jersey, despite playing most of his rugby at fullback for the Waratahs in Super Rugby this year. His Waratahs team-mate, 20-year-old wing Max Jorgensen, makes his return from an ankle injury for this clash with the Fijians, while Western Force flyer Harry Potter is on the other wing as Tom Wright continues at fullback. Schmidt has opted to use Ulster-bound loosehead Angus Bell off the bench as the experienced James Slipper starts in the front row. Also included among the replacements are Western Force halfbacks Nic White and Ben Donaldson, who played against the Lions last week. Reds wing/centre and Fiji native Filipo Daugunu, who wasn't with the Wallabies in Europe last autumn, comes into the number 23 shirt. Wallabies (v Fiji): 15. Tom Wright 14. Harry Potter 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 12. Len Ikitau 11. Max Jorgensen 10. Noah Lolesio 9. Tate McDermott 1. James Slipper 2. David Porecki 3. Allan Alaalatoa 4. Nick Frost 5. Jeremy Williams 6. Langi Gleeson 7. Fraser McReight 8. Harry Wilson (captain) 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
Extra.ie
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Aussie star Suaalii lies in wait as Lions campaign commences in Dublin
The British and Irish Lions get their campaign up and running against Argentina at Aviva Stadium on Friday night – but the three-Test series has got more daunting with cross-code superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in line to face Andy Farrell's side this summer. The 21-year-old was recruited from rugby league side Sydney Roosters on a three-year-deal worth a reported Au$5.35million (€3m) and Suaalii made an immediate impact on rugby union during the autumn internationals with a star turn against England in Twickenham. There were fears that the centre would have to sit out the series after he broke his jaw in a collision with New South Wales Waratahs teammate Andrew Kellaway in May. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in action for Australia. Pic:But Suaalii is on course to feature against the Lions, with head coach Joe Schmidt naming him in a 36-player squad on Thursday. The former Leinster and Ireland coach has also included giant La Rochelle lock Will Skelton. But veteran out-half James O'Connor has missed the cut. The 34-year-old has endured no shortage of disciplinary issues in the past, but the talented Australian back had found his best form since a galvanising move to the Crusaders this season. O'Connor played a prominent role for the Wallabies against the Lions 12 years ago, starting all three Tests in the No10 shirt. But Schmidt has opted for Ben Donaldson, Noah Lolesio and Tom Lynagh as his options at out-half for the warm-up Test against Fiji on July 6. James O'Connor playing with the Crusaders. Pic:'We've invested in three guys in that (No) 10 spot, and we felt trying to balance things up, we're going to keep investing in those guys,' said Schmidt. 'We didn't want to interrupt that. I'm not saying we got it right, I'm just saying that's what we chose to do.' Western Force back-row forward Nick Champion de Crespigny and Brumbies winger Corey Toole are the only two uncapped players in the large squad while Ulster-bound loosehead Angus Bell, backrowers Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson and scrumhalf Tate McDermott are familiar faces. Japan-based stalwarts Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete as well as Bordeaux No8 Pete Samu were all omitted. Australia head coach Joe Schmidt. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo 'Selection is always tight and there'll be players who are excited and those that are disappointed,' Schmidt reasoned. 'As coaches, there was a lot of healthy, robust discussion and we think we've selected a group that will work hard and connect well as a squad. 'There's some continuity from last year, plus a few new or returning players, who have forced their way into the mix through strong performances in Super Rugby Pacific. 'This squad's immediate focus is Fiji, and we will need to hit the ground running having not been together since early January.' The Wallabies play Fiji on July 6 in Newcastle.
Belfast Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
New Ulster signing receives first Springboks call-up ahead of summer Test series
The rampaging number eight, who will move to Ravenhill over the summer from Northampton Saints, is one of nine uncapped players called up to Rassie Erasmus' 54-man extended panel. South Africa begin their summer schedule with a game against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28, followed by Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on July 5 and 12 respectively and finishing off against Georgia in Nelspruit on July 19. It seems unlikely that 27-year-old Augustus will see any game time as six of the eight back rowers from the Springboks' last squad have been retained, including reigning and two-time World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi. However, it says much about the Alexander Bay native that he has been included in the squad after being part of last month's national alignment camp, with Erasmus clearly a fan of the Ulster-bound back row. Augustus has been in red-hot form for Northampton this season and only missed out on their Champions Cup Final against Bordeaux due to injury, helping them reach their first decider since 2011 with a bulldozing performance against Leinster in the Semi-Finals. His call-up, however, could prove to be an issue for Ulster, who were anticipating the former Stormers man being available for the start of the United Rugby Championship campaign on September 26 but may now be without him should he see any action for his country. Even more concerning would be if he impresses sufficiently to be called up to the Springboks squad for firstly the Rugby Championship, which extends into the first weekend of October, and then the Autumn Internationals, when Erasmus' men face France, Italy, Ireland and Wales in November. While Ulster would never prevent a player from representing their country, the intention was for Augustus to be a fulcrum at the centre of their forward pack in their bid to return to the URC Play-Offs next season, and being without one of their marquee players for a significant period – Ulster have six League games before the end of November – would be less than ideal for head coach Richie Murphy. The province are well-stocked in the back row, with James McNabney emerging last season alongside Ireland flanker Nick Timoney and David McCann, and Ireland lock Cormac Izuchukwu also able to step in at blindside flanker, but Augustus was set to provide a new dimension to the loose forward trio.
The 42
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
No Carbery for Bordeaux, Saints welcome back Furbank for Champions Cup final
JOEY CARBERY HAS been left out of Bordeaux-Begles' team for tomorrow's Champions Cup final meeting with Northampton Saints in Cardiff [KO 2.45pm, RTÉ/Premier Sports]. The former Leinster and Munster player has not been included in Bordeaux's matchday 23, with the French side selecting a 6/2 bench split. Bordeaux have been able to select Damian Penaud, with the winger recovering from an injury sustained in the semi-final defeat of Toulouse. Advertisement Northampton Saints welcome back George Furbank and Ollie Sleightholme to their matchday 23. Furbank starts at fullback in his first appearance for Saints since April. Otherwise it's a familiar Northampton side, with Director of Rugby Phil Dowson opting for a 5/3 bench split. Curtis Langdon, Temo Mayanavanua, Alex Coles and James Ramm have all been passed fit to start. Sleightholme is set to come off the bench to feature for the first time since December. Sam Graham, George Hendy, and Ulster-bound Juarno Augustus are among the players unavailable for the Premiership side due to injury. Northampton Saints: 15. George Furbank 14. Tommy Freeman 13. Fraser Dingwall (capt) 12. Rory Hutchinson 11. James Ramm 10. Fin Smith 9. Alex Mitchell 1 Emmanuel Iyogun 2 Curtis Langdon 3 Trevor Davison 4 Temo Mayanavanua 5 Tom Lockett 6 Alex Coles 7 Josh Kemeny 8 Henry Pollock Replacements: 16. Craig Wright 17. Tarek Haffar 18. Elliot Millar Mills 19. Ed Prowse 20. Angus Scott-Young 21. Tom James 22. Tom Litchfield 23. Ollie Sleightholme
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Furbank starts in Northampton team for final
Investec Champions Cup final: Northampton Saints v Bordeaux-Begles Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday 24 May Kick-off 14:45 BST Coverage: Live TV coverage on Welsh language channel S4C on iPlayer, live radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Northampton, with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website England's George Furbank returns to the Northampton team for only his second appearance since December as he starts at full-back in Saturday's Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Begles. Curtis Langdon is also in the starting XV after concerns that an injury picked up in last weekend's win over Saracens may rule the hooker out. Ollie Sleightholme is another to make a comeback on the biggest stage, with the wing named on the bench and set to make his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury on England duty in March. Alex Coles is fit to take up a role as blindside flanker, while Henry Pollock plays at number eight with Ulster-bound South African Juarno Augustus ruled out. Furbank, who was appointed captain after Lewis Ludlam's departure at the end of last season, has missed much of the campaign after breaking his arm in the away win over the Bulls at the end of last year. Having had metal plates inserted in his arm, the 28-year-old made an initial return in Saints' quarter-final victory over Castres in April, but suffered a setback in that match and it was feared his season might be over. Bordeaux-Begles, contesting their first Champions Cup final, name an unchanged starting XV from the side that beat Toulouse in the last four. Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert, both France internationals, are the half-back partnership, while Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey are part of a dangerous backline. Former London Irish lock Adam Coleman and Australia international Peter Samu feature in the pack. Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Dingwall ©, Hutchinson, Ramm; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Langdon, Davison, Mayanavanua, Lockett, Coles, Kemeny, Pollock Replacements: Wright, Haffar, Millar Mills, Prowse, Scott-Young, James, Litchfield, Sleightholme Bordeaux-Begles: Buros; Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu; Poirot, Lamothe, Falatea, Coleman, Cazeaux, Diaby, Petti, Samu Replacements: Sa, Boniface, Tameifune, Bochaton, Vergnes-Taillefer, Gazzotti, Retiere, Janse van Rensburg Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ire) and Andrea Piardi (Ita) TMO: Marius Jonker (SA) Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
