'Get a game under their belt': Schmidt open to Test players taking on Lions tour matches

Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 10:15 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has revealed certain Test players may be allowed to take on the British & Irish Lions for their respective Super Rugby Pacific sides.

Schmidt and his coaching staff have spent the past two days working with Western Force players eager to press their claims for a national call-up to the massive series.

Perth serves as the Lions' first stop with their opening tour match against the Force at Optus Stadium (June 28) less than three weeks away.

Tickets to the Force-Lions game are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

For Force Wallabies hopefuls, it's been more than two weeks since their last Super Rugby Pacific outing and Schmidt has indicated his desire for several players to feature in order to receive vital game preparation - and one last chance to impress.

"It'll be a mix and match I think. There may be some guys named in the Wallaby squad who don't actually join us when we assemble," Schmidt revealed.

"One thing we're conscious of is a) making sure our clubs are competitive and b) some of these guys haven't played it'll be four or five weeks since they'll have played.

"So to get a game under their belt before they actually come into Wallaby camp may be the most advantageous situation for us."

Schmidt revealed there were 17 players in the Wallabies' Perth camp, including the likes of 2024 debutants Jeremy Williams, Carlo Tizzano and Harry Potter.

The former Irish boss also praised the work of Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny and Nic Dolly after their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific seasons.

"I think there's some really good individuals across here and there's more being brought in," Schmidt remarked.

"I think guys coming back from overseas like Tom Robertson, he's a guy who was in and around the squad last year. Nick Champion de Crespigny coming back from Castres in France and Nic Dolly; there's these sort of guys returning who are actually quite mature players.

"There's some young guys who have come through. Carlo is a Western Australian boy and he's come through the system here and he didn't get selected in the Wallabies last year.

"He forced his way in because that was on the back of his absolute want to get into the gold jersey and delivery of performance on the field."

Tickets to the Force-Lions game are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

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