MELBOURNE: Joe Schmidt has supersized the Wallabies for Saturday’s do-or-die second Test against the British and Irish Lions at the MCG.
In a major boost to Australia’s chances of squaring the series, powerful forwards Rob Valetini, Will Skelton, David Porecki and Langi Gleeson all return from injury into the 23.
Valetini, Skelton and Porecki have all been included in the starting side while Gleeson is one of six forwards on the bench after the Wallabies were outmuscled in a 27-19 loss in Brisbane.
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Rob Valetini at Marvel Stadium. Getty
Melbourne product Valetini, the two-time reigning John Eales Medallist, is desperate to put on a show on home turf.
“On the field, we could probably tell, in the first 40 (minutes), that we were just missing that punch in the carry,” Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa said.
“And that was something through the Brumbies and the Wallabies that Bobby (Valetini) always brings. He does have that physical presence.”
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Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou during Wallabies training at Stade Roger Baudras. Getty
Giant lock Skelton has also recovered from a calf injury and replaces Jeremy Williams in the run-on team.
But Skelton’s club coach Ronan O’Gara, in Australia as a Sky Sports pundit, warned not to expect miracles on Saturday.
“When you bring back in players who have been out for a period of time with injuries, you’ve got to have the other guys carrying the load,” the Ireland and Lions great said.
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“If you’re looking for Will to be the big player, you won’t get that first game back. Will is a little bit like (Lions prop) Tadhg Furlong in the fact that five times 50 minutes (of game time), then he becomes really interesting.
“Yeah, he’s a freak and he can play next week without a shadow of doubt, he could go 80, but as Michael (Hooper) said, his game is a power game.”
Schmidt has recalled Porecki at hooker after the former Wallabies captain recovered from a concussion against Fiji.
David Porecki during an Australia training session. Getty
Porecki replaces Matt Faessler in the starting side.
“His lineout throwing is always immaculate and he’s a big, physical boy,” former Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps said on Stan Sport’s Inside Lion.
“He throws himself into the contact area so a bit more punch.”
Perhaps influenced by Saturday’s forecast for heavy rain, Schmidt opted for six forwards on his bench after going with five in Brisbane.
“I love a good 6-2 split,” Phipps said.
“It’s going to be wet down there in Melbourne this weekend and there was a lot of physicality playing quite tight (in the first Test), so I think bringing that bench in to add impact is a good idea.”
Schmidt also kept the faith with Jake Gordon as his starting halfback despite Tate McDermott again impressing off the bench in Brisbane.
McDermott also had a stronger Super Rugby season than Gordon but Phipps backed Schmidt in.
“I think at the moment, Tate’s ability to unlock that defence at the back end of a game is stronger than him starting and Jake trying to do that later,” Phipps said.
“It’s always romantic to see a good 30 minutes at the back end of a game and demand changes. I know Tate would be constantly working to get that start, so would Jake and Nic White.”
Faessler, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tom Hooper and Andrew Kellaway are the players to drop out of the 23.
“The squad has recovered well after a very physical first Test and the week’s preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together,” Schmidt said.
“We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we’ll need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night.”
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, David Porecki, James Slipper
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson
