Australian rugby fans should brace for more surprises this week as Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt prepares to ring in the changes for Sunday night’s showdown with Wales in Cardiff. Just seven days after throwing 21-year-old sensation Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii into the Twickenham cauldron for a stunning debut, insiders say Schmidt is poised to shuffle the deck again for the crucial Principality Stadium clash.
Schmidt Set to Bench Breakout Star
Perhaps the biggest shock is the whisper that Suaalii, fresh off a scintillating performance that lit up rugby’s hallowed home ground, will start from the pine this week. Despite the teenager’s aerial prowess, deft touches, and eye for the offload earning rave reviews, sources indicate that Schmidt is leaning towards deploying powerhouse centre Samu Kerevi from the opening whistle.
The 28-year-old Kerevi, one of the Wallabies’ big guns recalled from overseas duty, sat out the England match but is now tipped to reunite with midfield partner Len Ikitau. The duo formed a potent combination in 2021, helping steer Australia to four straight Rugby Championship wins.
Skelton Set for Rare Start
Another headline change is the probable inclusion of towering lock Will Skelton in the run-on side. The 2.03-meter, 140-kg behemoth will likely slot into the second row in place of rising star Jeremy Williams, despite the youngster’s strong showing last week. As one of the few Wallabies with the size and grunt to match the big Northern Hemisphere packs, Skelton’s experience could prove vital against the desperate Dragons.
Front Row Reshuffle on the Cards
Uncertainty also surrounds the makeup of the front row, with powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou in doubt after a sub-par outing at Twickenham. The ‘Tongan Thor’ was one of the few Wallabies not to impose himself in London, raising concerns that he may still be hampered by the knee complaint that saw him limp out of Bledisloe II last month.
Should Tupou be sidelined, it will force a reshuffle of the tight five. James Slipper would likely switch back to the tighthead side, with youngster Taafu Joe or the versatile Jeremy Fitzpatrick called in to start at loosehead. Matt Gibbon, who made a solid cameo off the bench against England, is another option to fill the void.
Backline Rejigged as Injuries Bite
The backs aren’t immune to the selection merry-go-round either, with fleet-footed winger Dylan Pietsch in danger of missing the match due to a calf niggle. Should the Sevens star be ruled out, 20-year-old Max Jorgensen is waiting in the wings for his run-on debut after scoring the match-sealing try in a lively appearance off the bench in London.
Jorgensen’s pace and workrate have caught the eye of Wallabies insiders, who say the rising star has the skill set to be a mainstay on the wing for years to come. With Pietsch under an injury cloud and Suaalii tipped for a ‘finishers’ role, the stage could be set for Jorgensen to announce himself as Australian rugby’s next breakout sensation.
Wholesale Changes Not Without Risk
While the prospective changes are sure to generate plenty of buzz, they’re not without an element of risk. The Wallabies were brilliant in downing England 42-37, with the injection of fresh faces like Suaalii and Williams key to the upset result. Benching them now, even for proven commodities like Kerevi and Skelton, could prove disruptive to a winning formula.
There’s also the not-insignificant matter of cohesion and combinations. Rugby is a game where teamwork and intuition are essential, attributes that are honed through consistent selection and time together on the training paddock. With the potential for up to half a dozen changes, the Wallabies will need to gel quickly to ensure they don’t miss a beat against a Welsh side desperate to atone for their mid-year defeats down under.
Schmidt Stays Coy Amid Speculation
For his part, Schmidt has stayed typically tight-lipped about his selection plans in the lead-up to the match. The canny Kiwi is known for keeping his cards close to his chest, rarely providing a peek behind the curtain until he’s required to name his team 48 hours before kickoff.
We’ve looked at a number of different permutations, a number of guys have their hand up for selection, and we’ll make our decision based on what we believe is the best 23 to get the job done in Cardiff.
Joe Schmidt, Wallabies Head Coach
One thing Schmidt has made clear is his wariness of the wounded Welsh. Despite the Dragons’ run of 10 straight defeats, the Wallabies boss knows they’ll be a different beast on home soil, where the Cardiff cauldron has swallowed up many an unsuspecting visitor.
We’re fully aware that the challenge we face on Saturday night is a significant one. Wales are a proud rugby nation with an excellent record at home, and we’ll need to be at our absolute best to come away with the result.
All Eyes on the Principality
Regardless of the 23 that takes the field, one thing is certain – Australian rugby fans will be glued to their screens come Sunday night. After the darkness of last year’s disastrous World Cup campaign and the tumult of the highly anticipated British & Irish Lions series lurking on the 2024 horizon, the match shapes as a crucial waypoint on the road to redemption for a proud rugby nation.
Can the Wallabies back up their Twickenham triumph and notch a rare European double? Will Schmidt’s selection surprises prove a masterstroke or a misfire? Is the Grand Slam dream still alive?
We’ll find out soon enough. One thing’s for sure – it won’t be boring. With Schmidt at the helm and the tantalizing prospect of some fresh faces in the fray, Australian rugby’s wild ride looks set to deliver more twists and turns. Strap in and hold on tight.
