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There’s a big week of training that will be coming for the Wallabies after touching down in England.
No doubt they’ve been given plenty of homework since their final game in the Rugby Championship to work on in the buildup to this tour.
Nine games into his tenure, Joe Schmidt now has enough information to begin solidifying his team, even with the changes he’s made along the way.
I don’t think this means that they are a complete team but by the end of this tour, we should be able to point to three or four elements of the Wallabies’ performances that when put together equate to a tangible style of play.
Here is the team I predict coach Schmidt will select for Australia’s first game up against England.
1. Angus Bell
2. Matt Faessler
3. Taniela Tupou
The front row picks itself. Angus Bell’s return to the international stage couldn’t come quickly enough.
However, with a recurring foot injury, it’s not ideal that Australia’s backroom team have to monitor the minutes and volume of not only Tupou but Bell as well so closely.
A fit and healthy Bell for 40 minutes in back-to-back Tests is more impactful than 60+ minutes one week and out of the team entirely the next.
The combination of Faessler and Brandon Paenga-Amosa is working well and is an important area where Schmidt can build consistency in his team.
Taniela Tupou (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
I’ve seen Tupou walking on the pitch too many times this year to select him but he’s been an ever-present under Schmidt so I’m predicting he starts again.
It’s coming on two years since he suffered his Achilles injury but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and only look at games in 2024.
He’s averaging 42 minutes a game. Uini Atonio is 12 kilos heavier and six years his senior averages 47 minutes a game for France… Let’s move on.
4. Nick Frost
5. Will Skelton
Will Skelton has never replicated his club form with Saracens or La Rochelle on the international stage.
He’s 32, won’t make another World Cup and is running out of time to be remembered as an iconic Wallaby. With a Lions’ tour on the horizon and an astute head coach running the team, perhaps this is Skelton’s year.
If Skelton is in the team, Schmidt has to strike a balance of brute force with athleticism throughout the rest of his pack, particularly if the lineout is to have a chance of functioning.
Will Skelton with the ball. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
This is where Australia will miss Liam Wright. The Queensland co-captain was the number one target in the lineout in this year’s Super Rugby competition and was seventh in tackles completed.
Wright’s unglamorous work rate mirrors that of an old school lock, which would have freed up Skelton to deliver on his personal skillset as opposed to just a second-row skillset.
Frost was tied for fourth in lineouts won in the Rugby Championship and is a great example of the modern lock, he uses his speed and athleticism to impact games, not just weight.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s impact off the bench goes against him here.
6. Rob Valetini
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson
The back row is made up of the three nominees for the John Eales Medal: Valetini, McReight and Wilson are very good, but they’re about to come up against some world-class flankers and number eights.
Wright’s injury changed the trajectory of Schmidt’s back row.
After the first Test against Wales, Charlie Cale was the first to benefit but ultimately Schmidt landed on this combination.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Valetini is the frontrunner to establish himself as world-class here but if McReight and Wilson can connect on a trademark Queensland Reds supporting line try, it would go a long way to showing the Australian pack is coming together.
McReight punches way above his weight, despite bulking up this year and still posses his trademark zip. Wilson is old school.
I think he could learn a lot from Ireland’s Caelan Doris, in particular, his footwork just before contact.
The Reds No.8 finished The Rugby Championship being compared against Ardie Savea, well it doesn’t get any easier with Doris and Ben Earl on the horizon.
9. Jake Gordon
10. Noah Lolesio
The problem facing Schmidt is that there are three genuine options to choose from at No.9 in the current squad. Nic White was the last one to start with Tate McDermott adding serious juice off the bench throughout the entire Rugby Championship.
I think Schmidt will roll with Jake Gordon. Gordon has the build to deal with pressure at the base of the ruck and provides a level of stability that I think Lolesio needs. Lolesio will retain the ten jersey. The revolving door needs to stop, the grass isn’t always greener. Lolesio with a tour under his belt and the faith and support of his coaches fuelling him on, is genuinely a better option than parachuting a green Carter Gordon type who isn’t battle hardened at Test level.
Lolesio is still young and with some stability around him can be Australia’s ten. Schmidt will need to see something special during the training week to unseat Noah.
12. Samu Kerevi
13. Len Ikitau
Hunter Paisami’s withdrawal from the squad opens the door for Kerevi’s immediate return into the matchday XV.
On his day Kerevi joins Antoine Dupont and RG Snyman at the back of bus, the area for players who can do things no one else can. Is that Kerevi still here and present?
Joe Schmidt’s recent recall from Japan, Marika Koroibete, didn’t make the desired impact so there will be extra attention on Kerevi and his fitness level. The fact he wasn’t ready to return in time for Schmidt’s opening salvo of matches, leads to believe that Kerevi is ready to make his comeback.
Alongside him in the No.13 jersey is Len Ikitau. Often deemed dependable and solid, Ikitau has quietly contributed to this Wallabies attack completing four offloads and beating 17 defenders. The only person to beat more players throughout the Rugby Championship is Cheslin Kolbe. Who else made four offloads? Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett.
Australia will be coming up against some top tier centres on this tour. Ollie Lawrence for England, any combination of Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osbourne. Wallabies fans also have the pleasure of seeing the one who got away and Scotland’s latest captain Sione Tuipulotu who has formed an excellent combination with Huw Jones.
I’d like to see Josh Flook alongside Kerevi’s power and offloading game but I expect Schmidt to repay Ikitau’s performances with another cap for the Wallabies.
11. Dylan Pietsch
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Tom Wright
Form is temporary, but class is permanent. I know Kellaway hasn’t hit the heights of his debut year but Kellaway’s work ethic is key to Joe Schmidt’s philosophy. If Jake Gordon is in the team, we can expect more kicks and box kicks are only as good as their chasers and Kellaway’s experience in the fullback jersey make him a great option to compete in the air.
Dylan Pietsch’s contribution against New Zealand at Sky Stadium was one of the standout parts of Australia’s performance in the final round of the Rugby Championship. Pietsch has speed, and physicality and uses them together when he roams in-field to get involved more. Also, how cool was it to see him donning the jersey he designed at the latest jersey launch ahead of the Lions tour?
With two solid options outside him, Tom Wright provides the unpredictability to Schmidt’s backline that’s capable of creating and converting. His pace on arcing runs is top class and can carve defences open if he takes the ball running and in space. Wright had a terrific Super Rugby campaign and has brought that form into the Wallabies jersey. Also, Wright scores tries. Something his back three companions are light on this year.
It’s not easy trying to predict what Joe Schmidt will do up against an England team who will be looking to bounce back after their heartbreaking defeat against New Zealand. I know Wallaby fans are eager to see Joseph Suaalii make his debut but Schmidt’s experience on the international stage leads me to believe he’ll introduce him slowly but surely with an eye to a starting place against Wales or Scotland.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.