Western Force captain and Wahroonga Tigers junior Jeremy Williams will make his Test debut in Saturday night’s clash with Wales at Allianz Stadium.
Williams, 23, will start at lock in the Wallabies’ XV to open the international season.
The debut is the latest chapter in Williams’ rise, having taken over as Force skipper prior to the 2024 Super Rugby season.
The 195cm second-rower joined the Force in late 2022, playing 14 games in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season where he finished in the league’s top thee for lineouts performers.
Williams impressed off the field too, winning the Force Man Award in his debut season, leading to his elevation to captain.
The Wallaroos will play beforehand at Allianz Stadium from 2:45pm WST against Fiji, with Michaela Leonard to start while Trilleen Pomare will come off the bench.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad has worked hard over the last week or so to prepare as best we can for what’s going to be an incredibly tough Test against Wales.”
Watch all the action on 9GEM and Stan Sport. Every Wallabies’ Test will be streamed ad-free, live and on demand in 4K UHD.
WALLABIES TEAM LIST
1. James Slipper (134 Tests) – Bond Pirates
2. Matt Faessler (5 Tests) – USQ Saints
3. Taniela Tupou (50 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
4. Jeremy Williams* - Wahroonga Tigers
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (30 Tests) – Randwick
6. Liam Wright (c) (5 Tests) – Easts Tigers
7. Fraser McReight (17 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Rob Valetini (39 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
9. Jake Gordon (20 Tests) – Canterbury Berries
10. Noah Lolesio (17 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Filipo Daugunu (7 Tests) – Wests Bulldogs
12. Hunter Paisami (24 Tests) - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
13. Josh Flook* - Brothers Rugby
14. Andrew Kellaway (26 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (25 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Reserves
16. Billy Pollard (1 Test) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Isaac Kailea** - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
18. Allan Alaalatoa (67 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
19. Angus Blyth** - Casuarina Beach Rugby Club
20. Charlie Cale** - Beecroft Junior Rugby Club
21. Tate McDermott (28 Tests) – Flinders Rugby
22. Tom Lynagh** - University of Queensland
23. Dylan Pietsch** - Leeton Phantoms
*denotes debut
**denotes potential debut
WALLAROOS TEAM LIST
1. Brianna Hoy (Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 6 caps
2. Tania Naden (Uni-North Owls) – 13 caps
3. Eva Karpani (Onkaparinga) – 24 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (CSU Marlins) – 18 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (c) (Tuggeranong Vikings) – 25 caps
6. Atasi Lafai (Campbelltown Harlequins) – 12 caps
7. Leilani Nathan (Hamilton Hawks) – 5 caps
8. Piper Duck (Tumut Bullettes) – 13 caps
9. Layne Morgan (Merewether Carlton) – 22 caps
10. Arabella McKenzie (Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 24 caps
11. Desiree Miller (Eastern Suburbs) – 5 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (Leeton Dianas) - 13 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (Wests Bulldogs) – 22 caps
14. Biola Dawa* (Wagga Reddies) – debut
15. Lori Cramer (University of Queensland) – 21 caps
Reserves
16. Tiarna Molloy (Inverell Highlanders) – 1 cap
17. Allana Sikimeti* (North Eagles) – debut
18. Bridie O'Gorman (Sydney University) – 20 caps
19. Siokapesi Palu (Rockdale Rangers) – 9 caps
20. Lydia Kavoa* (Eastern Suburbs) – debut
21. Natalie Wright* (Wests Bulldogs) – debut
22. Trilleen Pomare (Wanneroo) – 27 caps
23. Faitala Moleka (Blacktown Scorpions) – 9 caps
* Denotes debutant
