Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has made wholesale changes to his matchday squad for Saturday’s clash with Japan in Tokyo, with Nick Champion de Crespigny appointed as captain.
Champion de Crespigny is the Wallabies’ 92nd captain and the sixth player whom Schmidt has entrusted with the leadership position since he took over the coaching reins in 2024.
Schmidt has made 13 changes to his starting line-up, which faced the All Blacks in their last Rugby Championship Test in Perth earlier this month, with regular skipper and number eight Harry Wilson named amongst the replacements.
Wilson’s regular back-row partner Fraser McReight, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Taniela Tupou are not included in the matchday squa,d while John Eales Medalist Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper will be in action with their Premiership club, Exeter Chiefs.
Halfbacks retain their starting positions
Halfback duo Tane Edmed and Jake Gordon are the only players who have retained their positions in the starting line-up after the Wallabies‘ loss to the All Blacks in Perth.
The rest of the backline sees Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook lining up in midfield, while Andrew Kellaway gets the nod at full-back with Corey Toole and Dylan Pietsch starting on the wings.
Up front, Josh Nasser is the starting hooker and packs down alongside props Angus Bell and Zane Nongorr in the front row, while Jeremy Williams and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are the two locks.
In the back row, Champion de Crespigny is joined by Western Force team-mate Carlo Tizzano as the two flankers, with Rob Valetini slotting in at number eight.
Meanwhile, on the replacements bench, former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross is in line to make his Wallabies debut after the retirement of James Slipper.
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Ross will become only the fifth player ever to play for New Zealand and Australia after signing with the Reds earlier this year.
Josh Canham, Tom Robertson and Billy Pollard join Ross and Wilson as the forward replacements, while Hamish Stewart, Ryan Lonergan and Filipo Daugunu will offer backline cover off the bench.
“It was great to get the group back together late last week in Sydney, and to welcome in a couple of new faces,” said Schmidt.
“The players have acclimatised well here in Tokyo and the whole squad is conscious of the threat the Brave Blossoms pose. They play hard and fast and are very tough to beat, especially at home.”
The Wallabies are undefeated against Japan and Saturday’s encounter is the start of their end-of-year tour, with the Australians set to face England, Italy, Ireland and France.
Wallabies team to play Japan
Wallabies: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Corey Toole, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny (c), 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Josh Canham, 20 Harry Wilson, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: National Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 14:50 local (16:50 AEDT, 06:50 BST, 05:50 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey (New Zealand), Morgan White (Hong Kong)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
FPRO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)
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AloJapan.com