Blindside flanker Tom Hooper will start his first game for the Wallabies since the 2023 Rugby World Cup as six Brumbies have been named in the squad for their final Test match against the British & Irish Lions.
Hooper, 24, replaces the injured Valetini at blindside flanker, with James Slipper, Nick Frost, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright also included in the starting lineup. Billy Pollard will make an impact from the bench as substitute hooker.
Former Brumby Nic White has been named to start at scrumhalf in what will be his 73rd and final Wallabies Test after announcing his retirement from international rugby earlier today. The scrum half played 112 times for the club across two stints in 2011-15 and 2020-23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad was certainly deflated after the gut-wrenching end to last week’s Test in Melbourne, but they have started to gather momentum in the back half of the week and will be ready to go again on Saturday.”
“The support in Brisbane and Melbourne helped to lift the squad, and I know the support this weekend in Accor Stadium, will again help to lift the players in the high-pressure moments that we know are coming."
Wallabies team to play British & Irish Lions at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday August 2 at 7:45pm AEST
- James Slipper (146 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates
- David Porecki (21 Tests) - #952; Seaforth Raiders
- Taniela Tupou (58 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
- Nick Frost (28 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
- Will Skelton (33 Tests) - #883; The Hills Sports High School
- Tom Hooper (12 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
- Fraser McReight (28 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
- Harry Wilson (c) (25 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
- Nic White (72 Tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks
- Tom Lynagh (5 Tests) - #977; University of Queensland
- Dylan Pietsch (5 Tests) - #978, Leeton Phantoms
- Len Ikitau (42 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (7 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
- Max Jorgensen (10 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
- Tom Wright (40 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes 16. Billy Pollard (9 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club 17. Angus Bell (39 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club 18. Zane Nonggorr (11 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles 19. Jeremy Williams (13 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers 20. Langi Gleeson (16 Tests) - #960; Harbord Harlequins 21. Tate McDermott (44 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club 22.Ben Donaldson (18 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles 23. Andrew Kellaway (40 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club
2025 Wallabies Tests
Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
British & Irish Lions Tour
Wallabies 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 27 on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies 26 defeated by British & Irish Lions 29 on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Flight Centre Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v South Africa at 1:10am AEST on Sunday August 17 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Wallabies v South Africa at 1:10am AEST on Sunday August 24 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:00pm AEST on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand at 3:05pm AEST on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Spring Tour
Wallabies v Japan at TBC on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London
Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at TBC
Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at TBC
