Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch has earned his first Test start, named on the left wing for the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday night (3:05pm WST).
After bringing strong impact from the bench in last weekend’s Sydney Test, new Force signing Pietsch will combine with fullback Tom Wright and right winger Andrew Kellaway in the back three at Sky Stadium.
Waratahs leader Jake Gordon is the only other change to the starting side for Force scrum-half Nic White, returning to the number nine jersey to partner Noah Lolesio in the halves in what is the final match of the 2024 Rugby Championship.
Force skipper Jeremy Williams Hornsby partners Hornsby junior Nick Frost in the run-on second row for the third consecutive Test.
Force duo Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Ben Donaldson are named among the reserves too.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “We didn’t help ourselves last weekend falling behind early to a fast moving, high tempo All Blacks side.
“We know we will need to start better than we did last week, with the physical edge and accuracy required.”
Watch all the action on Stan Sport with every Wallabies Test streaming ad-free, live and on demand with Wallabies at home in 4K UHD. Wallabies matches will also be shown live on the Nine Network.
Wallabies team to play New Zealand
@ Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday 28 September, 3:05pm WST
1. Angus Bell (32 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
2. Matt Faessler (11 Tests) – USQ Saints
3. Taniela Tupou (55 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (20 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (7 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (47 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (21 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (18 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (26 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors
10. Noah Lolesio (24 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Dylan Pietsch (3 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms
12. Hunter Paisami (30 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
13. Len Ikitau (34 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
14. Andrew Kellaway (34 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (32 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (15 Tests) – Southern Districts
17. Isaac Kailea (5 Tests) - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
18. Allan Alaalatoa (75 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (36 Tests) - Randwick
20. Langi Gleeson (8 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (36 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (12 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
23. Josh Flook (3 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
End of Year Tour
Wallabies v England, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, Twickenham, London
Wallabies v Wales, 3:10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Wallabies v Scotland, 12:40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wallabies v Ireland, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
