Schmidt brings in key figures for his return to Dublin
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Props James Slipper and Taniela Tupou will start for the Wallabies against Ireland at Lansdowne Road Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.
The experienced duo will combine with Brandon Paenga-Amosa in the front row for what will be a significant occasion for the home side who will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Ireland Rugby.
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams pair up in the second row, with the latter having recovered from the illness which ruled him out of the Scotland Test.
Queensland’s Fraser McReight also returns to the starting line-up, for what is the side’s final Test of 2024. He’ll reunite with blindside flank Rob Valetini and captain Harry Wilson in the loose forward trio.
Valetini is one of three players including Andrew Kellaway and Allan Alaalatoa who have played in all 13 Tests for the Wallabies this year.
Max Jorgensen starts on the left wing in the final change to the starting side from last weekend’s Test in Edinburgh, joining right winger Andrew Kellaway and fullback Tom Wright in the back three.
Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio will line up for their 29th Tests for Australia in the halves, with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to partner in the midfield for the third Test on this year’s Spring Tour.
It will be the third time Suaalii, who switched to union after starting his professional career in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters, combines with Ikitau on the Wallabies' Grand Slam tour of Europe.
Suaalii had been a doubt after going off against Scotland last Sunday with a wrist injury.
"Yeah, Joe's fine," said Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt.
"He got one of those thingies where he had a bit of a dead arm.
"We just felt that it was better to get it properly assessed.
"We couldn't hold the game up to do that, so we took him out of the game against Scotland."
Billy Pollard, Angus Bell and Alaalatoa will form the replacement front row with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Langi Gleeson the remaining forward cover.
Tate McDermott is again the substitute scrumhalf, while West Harbour Junior Tane Edmed is in line to become Wallaby number 990 and the 19th Australian debutant this year, selected to come off the bench. Last weekend’s try scorer on debut Harry Potter has been named as the outside back replacement.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s been a challenging year where we have grown a bit as a squad, and we have an opportunity to challenge ourselves again against what is a settled and cohesive Ireland team.
“It’s going to be a big occasion at the Landsdowne Road with the 150th anniversary celebrations so I hope those in attendance get to enjoy a really good spectacle.”
Schmidt, who coached Ireland between 2013 and 2019, has overseen victories over England (42-37) and Wales (52-20) before a 13-27 defeat to Scotland last week.
That loss dashed his side's hopes of emulating the 1984 Grand Slam-winning Wallaby tourists.
Schmidt, who guided Ireland to three Six Nations title peaking with the Grand Slam success in 2018, said it was great being back and seeing the legacy he had left behind.
"I think what you want to leave is a legacy, that people are enthusiastic about the game," said the 59-year-old New Zealander.
"As much as anything, the success that has allowed interest to grow and the playing population to grow, and, you know, the health of clubs.
"I just love the fact that the sport is not just flourishing at the top end."
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Harry Potter
Date: Saturday, November 30
Venue: Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Kick-off: 15.10 (15.10 GMT; 02.10 Sunday, December 1 AEDT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
With additional reporting by AFP