Star forward benched, Suaalii on wing for Wallabies’ clash with England

Wallabies coach Les Kiss has rolled the dice by shifting star forward Rob Valetini to the bench for the blockbuster clash with England at Twickenham on Monday (AEDT).

Valetini’s shift to the reserves bench came as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was also named back on the wing, to make way for the return of Len Ikitau in the midfield, and Declan Meredith retained the No.10 jersey.

Powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou has also returned and was named on a heavyweight bench, which Kiss clearly feels will be critical in the second half against the English.

Valetini, the two-time John Eales medallist, has been a rusted-on starter for the Wallabies for many years, as either a No.6 or No.8, and has been in the run-on side for every Test this year.

But Kiss elected to shift regular lock Jeremy Williams across to the No.6 jersey for the England clash, opening up a spot for Josh Canham to return to the starting second row, alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

Williams has started in the back row in Super Rugby six times, for the Waratahs and the Western Force, but never in a Test match.

Of his 71 Tests, Valetini has started in 63 of them but concerned about his workload, Joe Schmidt also shifted the big ballrunner to the bench in two Tests on the spring tour last year.

Angus Bell has returned at loosehead prop and Billy Pollard has replaced Josh Nasser at hooker, in the only other changes in the starting pack.

In the backline, Ikitau has returned after missing the Sydney Bledisloe due to concussion, but he will play No.12, with Isaac Henry shifting to outside centre.

Suaalii returns to the wing, with Harry Potter dropping out of the side.

On the bench, Isaac Kailea has won a recall at reserve prop, with Aidan Ross missing out, and Ben Donaldson returns from a groin injury as the back-up No.10.

More to come

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