Australia are trusting in some backline wizardry, handing a debut to the winger Harry Potter and the returning Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the starting lineup for the Scotland Test match. Suaalii is set for his biggest examination yet in Wallabies gold with the cross-code superstar back as outside-centre for the third leg of their British Isles grand slam bid at Murrayfield on Sunday (00.40 Monday AEDT).
In a side featuring six changes from the team that crushed Wales with a half-century of points last Sunday, Joe Schmidt will also be looking for a bit of magic from Potter, the English-born back who will become Wallaby No 989. The 26-year-old versatile back will become the 18th Wallabies debutant in 2024 on the left-wing, as he replaces Max Jorgensen, who switches to the bench.
It’s a big moment for the Western Force man who was born in London before moving to Melbourne as a 10-year-old. Unable to make the grade in Super Rugby, he went back to England and starred for Leicester, helping them win a Premiership title.
With Samu Kerevi’s tour over after his red card against Wales, Len Ikitau will revert to the No 12 shirt with Suaalii at 13. The former Rooster starred at outside centre with a man-of-the-match performance on his debut in the win over England, but reverted to the bench in Cardiff.
After his head injury, Jake Gordon returns to take over the scrum-half berth from Nic White, meaning three changes to the backline that shredded Wales.
Up front, Harry Wilson returns to the No 8 and the captaincy, while Carlo Tizzano will start at openside flanker as Rob Valetini moves back to blindside flanker. The other change to the starting side sees Jeremy Williams back in the second row.
Schmidt said: “The week has been complicated, with the freezing conditions ruling out training fields but the group have adapted well to the situation. The core of the Scotland team has been together for a number of years. They’re cohesive and combative and we will need to be at our best on Sunday.”
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Australia team: Wright; Kellaway, Sualii, Ikitau, Potter; Loresio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Williams, Skelton, Valetini, Tizzano, Wilson (capt). Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Nonggorr, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Jorgensen.
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