Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Fraser McReight will earn his 50th cap for Australia in a much-changed side to meet England at Twickenham after the Wallabies’ two sobering defeats to New Zealand – but Kurtley Beale will have to wait for his return.
The John Eales Medallist McReight will start at openside but in a new-look backrow, with Rob Valetini dropped to the bench and Jeremy Williams being switched from lock to blindside flanker alongside captain, No.8 Harry Wilson.
But coach Les Kiss has resisted the temptation of giving the 37-year-old utility back Beale his first Test outing for five years following the shock of drafting him into the Nations Championship squad.
Len Ikitau is back in the team for the Twickenham opener, having missed the last Test under HIA protocols, and he’ll be in a centre combination with Isaac Henry, while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, back at the scene of his Test debut in 2024, will start on the right wing in place of Harry Potter.
Australia will stick with the same halves combination of Brumbies teammates Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith, while Josh Canham is back as lock, having missed the second All Blacks shellacking, to partner Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
The front row looks to have been strengthened with Angus Bell back as starting loosehead prop alongside hooker Billy Pollard, with Allan Alaalatoa making up the trio.
Taniela Tupou is back on the bench to provide an impact up front in a substitute front row with Josh Nasser and Isaac Kailea.
“The entire squad has travelled well and prepared with fantastic energy and excitement heading into this weekend,” said Kiss.
“Playing England on their home turf – at an iconic venue like Twickenham – is a massive challenge and another great opportunity for us to test ourselves against world-class opposition and keep building our game.”
Wallabies team:
Angus Bell, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams , Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Isaac Henry, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright.
Replacements: Josh Nasser , Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu.
