Former Wallabies on the two candidates to replace Tom Wright at fullback

The Wallabies are likely to be without fullback Tom Wright for a period of nine months after the superstar’s ACL injury in Cape Town. Next up for the No. 15 jersey? The pundits have two candidates in mind.

With an expressed interest in owning the gold No. 15 jersey in the long run, breakout star Max Jorgensen, 20, is one of those contenders, while a more experienced campaigner in Andrew Kellaway, 29, is also in the running.

Both players played predominantly at fullback in 2024’s Super Rugby season, but Kellaway’s move to Jorgensen’s Waratahs saw the veteran start at 15 while the pair shared the field this year.

The young gun has made the right edge his own for the Wallabies in 2025, with four tries in six outings also earning him praise as one of the brightest young stars in the game. Kellaway, on the other hand, has been employed in an impact role off the bench for the Wallabies this year.

Pundit Allana Ferguson said she’d stick with the winning formula as much as possible, opting for a straight swap of Wright for Kellaway, keeping Jorgensen in the position he is currently thriving in.

“For now, for the next few weeks and the next few months, I think you’ve got to try and stay as minimal in your changes as possible. Personally, I’d be bringing Andrew Kellaway straight into 15; he’s a solid choice, he’s good under the high ball, he’s good at running, a solid kicking game. He brings everything you want,” she said on Stan Sport‘s Rugby Heaven.

“It’s a safe bet, and I think just for the time being, for the rest of this series, that’s what you’ve got to go for. I’m not sure if long-term that is what you pick, but I think for the foreseeable future, that’s what Joe Schmidt needs to do. We’re on the up, keep the continuity going.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

26

34

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

40%

Former Wallabies midfielder Tim Horan was in agreement with both Ferguson’s opinion and her reasoning.

“A lot of people will probably be thinking, why don’t you move Max Jorgensen to 15? He’s been killing it on the right wing, so leave him. Corey Toole, how well has he played in his first Test match? So you probably want to keep those two players there and only change one position.”

But maybe the most qualified of the trio of pundits, former Wallabies fullback Cameron Shepherd, had a different perspective. After initially saying he was in two minds about the selection call, he settled on Jorgensen as his preferred option at the back.

“I actually think you take Jorgensen back for two reasons. First reason is, we have two weeks build-up before this Argentinian game, so he’s got extra time to train and get in the saddle, but it also opens the door to bring back Filipo Daugunu.

“As much as I do like Kellaway, and he is a safe bet, I think Jorgensen might be the best fit there.

“Winning this Test against Argentina in Queensland is going to be huge. We really want to make sure we don’t let go of this great start in South Africa by dropping that game when we can win.

“I feel like dropping Jorgensen back there, it gets him more touches, more involvement in the game. He certainly won’t be perfect, but I think he’s probably the right person.”

Shepherd added his thoughts on another Waratah, who played as much fullback for the club as the other two combined in 2025.

“There’s one thing I absolutely wouldn’t do, and that’s put Joseph Suaalii back to fullback. I do not think he’s the right placement there. I’m still very concerned about his decision-making in that position, he didn’t get enough experience during Super Rugby Pacific, and from what I saw of him, his decision-making was quite poor.

“So, I think if there’s one thing Joe should avoid, it’s moving him back. I would leave him there (at centre) for now, if you’re going to move him anywhere, move him to the wing.”