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High-profile code hopper Suliasi Vunivalu is in line to make his Test debut in the decider against England on Saturday, while Dave Rennie has brought Harry Wilson, Reece Hodge and Tate McDermott back into the fold.
Vunivalu has been named on the bench for the Sydney Cricket Ground match, while Queensland Reds No.8 Wilson will start over Rob Leota at No.6 with the Rebels player relegated to the bench.
Nick Frost has been named for a starting debut at lock alongside Matt Philip after appearing as a replacement in Brisbane. Rennie has made four changes to the starting XV with James Slipper returning to the loosehead prop role and Angus Bell benched.
Len Ikitau has returned after missing out in Brisbane, but Hunter Paisami stays at No.13 while Tate McDermott will back up No.9 Nic White after missing out on the opening two matches to Jake Gordon. There is no room for James O’Connor, who was poor when introduced off the bench in Brisbane, leaving Hodge as the potential back up to Lolesio.
Wallabies team
1. James Slipper (116 Tests)
2. David Porecki (2 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (39 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (1 Test)
5. Matt Philip (22 Tests)
6. Harry Wilson (10 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (120 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (20 Tests)
9. Nic White (49 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (11 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (44 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (40 Tests)
13. Hunter Paisami (16 Tests)
14. Tom Wright (11 Tests)
15. Reece Hodge (54 Tests)
Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a (27 Tests)
17. Angus Bell (18 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (54 Tests)
19. Rob Leota (8 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (21 Tests)
21. Tate McDermott (15 Tests)
22. Len Ikitau (14 Tests)
23. Suliasi Vunivalu*
After a training regimen of Jiu Jitsu and explosive speed work Wilson is back in the Wallabies team for the first time since being left off the Spring Tour by Dave Rennie, as the coach looks to add his punch to the pack.
The 22-year-old had a breakthrough season in 2020 and started 2021 at the back of the Wallabies scrum before drifting out of favour with Rob Valetini preferred. Valetini will stay at No.8 for this game.
Wilson missed the November tour of Europe with Rennie preferring to give him work ons and get in a proper preseason and build his skills. Wilson revealed that included training in the grappling martial art of Jiu Jitsu and developing his footwork and short distance explosiveness.
Wilson had no contact with Rennie between the tour, which many felt he should have been part of, and the first camp of the year in April.
“I had a few good conversations with him there and he reinforced a few areas of my game which includes my ball carry,” Wilson. told The Roar Rugby Podcast.
“He thought he saw some good growth there and talked about he wants me to keep improving it.”
Wilson acknowledged that his “footwork that he wants me to work on is not just an overnight fix. I’ve made improvement, which he’s noted, but he’s also wants to see more growth,” Wilson said last month.
The loss of Taniela Tupou through injury and non-selection of Luhkan Salakaia-Loto at the Reds this season meant more carrying in tight for Wilson, and it’s an area where he excelled.
“You don’t get as much glory but as long as you get enough front foot ball for the other boys to run off, that’s my job and something I enjoy too.”
Part of Rennie’s focus was getting Wilson faster and more explosive.
“I’m used to getting flogged for hours and hours and doing fitness in preseasons but this one as more speed – power based . I felt like I got a lot benefit from. I tried to lose a couple of kgs and it can only help with your agility.
“I think I’ve found my weight now that I can play my best footy at. Hopefully I don’t go back to being a Harry tight pants any time soon.”
Preseason included sessions of jujitsu twice a week which he feels has helped him with his finishing near the try line.
Wilson will come up against England giant Billy Vunipola on Saturday, and has watched plenty of tape on the destructive No.8.
“Loving my rugby I keep up to date with what’s happening over there,’ Wilson said of northern hemisphere rugby.
“At Reds, Jim McKay our attack coach always has little projects for us. One for me was to have a look at how No.8s play in the northern hemisphere.
“I watched a lot of how Alex Dombrandt and Billy Vunipola play. It’s cool, it’s all clipped up at training.”