Four Western Force players have been named in the Wallabies’ team to take on the All Blacks in Saturday’s first Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland.
Force quarter Harry Potter, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jeremy Williams and Carlo Tizzano have all been named in the 23, with the latter trio to come on as reserves.
Gold Coast junior James Slipper will become the first player to represent the Wallabies in 150 Tests, selected to start at loosehead prop.
Having made his international debut as a 21-year-old in 2010 against England, Slipper already holds the record for the most-capped prop in Test Rugby history and will join Wales’s Alun Wyn Jones and New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock as just the third player to reach the milestone of 150 Tests.
Wallaby number 843, Slipper will line up alongside hooker Billy Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the run on front row.
Sunshine Coast product Tate McDermott will notch up his own milestone at Eden Park, named to start for the first time in 2025 in what will be his 50th Test for Australia, having made his debut against New Zealand in 2020. He’ll partner former Reds’ teammate James O’Connor in the halves, who plays his 69th match for his country.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also earned his first start for the year on Saturday, selected alongside Nick Frost in the run-on second row.
The versatile Tom Hooper shifts back to blindside flanker for what is the fifth round of the Flight Centre Rugby Championship, reconnecting with openside flanker Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson who will again wear the number eight jersey.
The experienced Len Ikitau has been paired up with outside centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii who will play in his first Bledisloe Cup Test, as will the back three of Corey Toole, Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen. The 21-year-old Jorgensen set to start at fullback for the first time in Wallaby gold.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa are the replacement front row, with Alaalatoa playing his first Test of the Rugby Championship having recovered from a shoulder injury.
Western Force duo Jeremy Williams and Carlo Tizzano will provide the remaining forward cover.
Canberra’s Ryan Lonergan has been selected for a potential Test debut as the replacement scrumhalf, with Tane Edmed the reserve flyhalf and the powerful Filipo Daugunu the remaining back cover.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad have worked away this week, fully aware of the challenge that awaits at Eden Park.
“It’s a fitting occasion for James Slipper to reach the milestone of 150 test matches and for Tate McDermott to represent the Wallabies for the 50th time.”
Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday September 27 at 1:05pm AWST
1. James Slipper (149 Tests) - #843; Bond Pirates
2. Billy Pollard (14 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Taniela Tupou (63 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (32 Tests) - #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (42 Tests) - #914; Randwick
6. Tom Hooper (17 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
7. Fraser McReight (33 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (29 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (49 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
10. James O’Connor (68 Tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
11. Corey Toole (3 Tests) - #992, Wagga Crows
12. Len Ikitau (46 Tests) - #944, Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (12 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Harry Potter (5 Tests) - #989, Moorabbin Rams
15. Max Jorgensen (15 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (24 Tests) - #918, Southern Districts
17. Angus Bell (43 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Allan Alaalatoa (83 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
19. Jeremy Williams (18 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Carlo Tizzano (10 Tests) - #982; University of Western Australia
21. Ryan Lonergan* - uncapped; Tuggeranong Vikings
22. Tane Edmed (3 Tests) - #990; West Harbour Juniors
23. Filipo Daugunu (13 Tests) - #931, Wests Bulldogs
