Five Western Force players have been named in the Wallabies’ 23-player team list to face Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday.
Force captain Jeremy Williams and winger Harry Potter will both start Sunday’s game from 11:30am WST, live on Channel 9 and Stan Sport. Ben Donaldson, Carlo Tizzano and Nic White will all come on as reserves.
Hooker David Porecki will return to the Test arena, 643 days since he last pulled on the Wallabies jersey. A former captain, Porecki last played for the Wallabies in the 2023 Rugby World Cup and will start in an experienced front row that features the all-time Test cap record holding James Slipper and tighthead Allan Alaalatoa.
After starting five Tests together in 2024, Nick Frost and Williams will reignite their second row partnership in what will be the Wallabies third Test at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Gunnedah junior Harry Wilson will again captain the side from the back of the scrum, with his Reds’ teammate Fraser McReight at openside flanker and the powerful Langi Gleeson set to start in the number six jersey.
Queensland captain Tate McDermott earns an opportunity to start at scrumhalf, partnering with Noah Lolesio, who wore the number 10 jersey in 11 of the side’s 13 Tests last year.
The consistent Len Ikitau will line up at inside centre, reconnecting with his Spring Tour midfield partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who will play his first Test in Australia on Sunday afternoon at outside centre.
Twenty-year-old Max Jorgensen will make his return from an ankle injury, selected on the left wing, while Force flyer Potter has also earned his first gold jersey on home soil on the right edge, having made his Test debut on last year’s Spring Tour. Tom Wright has been named at full-back.
Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard joins NSW Waratah Angus Bell and Queensland Red Zane Nonggorr as the replacement front row, with Bathurst Bulldogs junior Tom Hooper and Perth product Tizzano the remaining forward cover.
Local Hunter junior White will have another opportunity to play in front of his hometown, joined by his club teammate Donaldson as the replacement halves pairing. Filipo Daugunu rounds out the matchday 23, selected to play against the country of his birth for the first time at Test level.
The Wallabies will wear their First Nations jersey in their first Test of 2025, with Sunday also signifying the start of NAIDOC week.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from our assembly through to the Test on Sunday against Fiji.”
“I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd here in Newcastle, as we kick off an exciting but incredibly demanding 2025 Test match schedule.”
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2025 Wallabies Tests
Match details
Wallabies v Fiji
11:30am WST on Sunday July 6
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wallabies team to play Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Sunday July 6 at 11:30am WST
1. James Slipper (143 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates
2. David Porecki (19 Tests) – #952; Seaforth Raiders
3. Allan Alaalatoa (80 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
4. Nick Frost (25 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (10 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
6. Langi Gleeson (14 Tests) – #960; Harbord Harlequins
7. Fraser McReight (25 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (22 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (41 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
10. Noah Lolesio (29 Tests) – #934; Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Max Jorgensen (7 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
12. Len Ikitau (39 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (4 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Harry Potter (2 Tests) - #989; Moorabbin Rams
15. Tom Wright (37 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Billy Pollard (6 Tests) – #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Angus Bell (36 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby
18. Zane Nonggorr (10 Tests) – #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Tom Hooper (10 Tests) – #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
20. Carlo Tizzano (5 Tests) – #982; University of Western Australia
21. Nic White (71 Tests) – #875; Maitland Blacks
22. Ben Donaldson (16 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles
23. Filipo Daugunu (11 Tests) – #931; Wests Bulldogs
