Brumby Rob Valetini is the headline inclusion in the Wallabies squad to take on the the British & Irish Lions at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night, with six other Brumbies also named in the side.
The Melbourne born back rower, 26, will run out in front of his hometown crowd at blindside flanker on Saturday after missing the first Test due to a calf injury. The back-to-back John Eales Medallist is one of three changes to the starting forward pack, along with Will Skelton and hooker David Porecki, who are set to face the Lions for the first time in a Test match.
Porecki will link up with Brumbies props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced front row, while Skelton will partner with another Brumby in Nick Frost as the run-on locks.
The backline remains unchanged from the one that started at Suncorp Stadium, with Jake Gordon and Tom Lynagh again the halves pairing.
Wallaby number 944 and Brumby centre Len Ikitau and 21-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will continue to build on their midfield combination, while Melbourne product Harry Potter will play his first Test in his hometown on the left wing. Max Jorgensen lines up on the right edge and Brumby Tom Wright will again start at fullback.
The coaches have continued with the same front-row replacements of Brumby Billy Pollard, Angus Bell and Tom Robertson, in what will be the Wallabies 700th Test match.
Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson complete the bench.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “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."
“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 team to play British & Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on Saturday July 26 at 7:45pm AEST
1. James Slipper (145 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates
2. David Porecki (20 Tests) - #952; Seaforth Raiders
3. Allan Alaalatoa (82 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
4. Nick Frost (27 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Will Skelton (32 Tests) - #883; The Hills Sports High School
6. Rob Valetini (52 Tests) - #929; Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (27 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (24 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (30 Tests) - #925; Canterbury Juniors
10. Tom Lynagh (4 Tests) - #977; University of Queensland
11. Harry Potter (4 Tests) - #989; Moorabbin Rams
12. Len Ikitau (41 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (6 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (9 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Tom Wright (39 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes:
16. Billy Pollard (8 Tests) – #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Angus Bell (38 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Tom Robertson (32 Tests) – #898; Dubbo Junior Rugby Club
19. Jeremy Williams (12 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Langi Gleeson (15 Tests) - #960; Harbord Harlequins
21. Carlo Tizzano (7 Tests) – #982; University of Western Australia
22. Tate McDermott (43 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
23. Ben Donaldson (18 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles
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 v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST 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
