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How uncapped fly-half Declan Meredith is settling into the Wallabies
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Declan Meredith is “under the pump” after earning selection in a Wallabies squad for the first time, but the playmaker has the full backing of his teammates, as ACT Brumbies halves partner Ryan Lonergan explained this week.
Meredith is one of three potential debutants named in the Wallabies squad for the upcoming Nations Championship Tests on home soil, with the Aussies kicking off their international season against Ireland on Saturday evening.
Western Force pivot Ben Donaldson is the most experienced No. 10 in the 37-player group with 19 Test caps, and Carter Gordon is another proven option after returning to Super Rugby Pacific with the Queensland Reds in 2026.
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26-year-old Meredith skyrocketed into the Wallabies selection frame during a strong season with the Brums, starting in 14 of 15 appearances for Stephen Larkham’s side. That saw Tane Edmed come off the bench more often than not, despite finishing 2025 as the starting Wallabies fly-half.
Meredith established an exciting halves combination with Lonergan, who is also in the mix to represent Australia this July. Lonergan has revealed that Meredith is tracking well ahead of the Wallabies’ season opener in Sydney.
“With the other 10s here as well, they’re all great fellas and they look after each other. He has been working with Donno and Carter closely and they’re obviously in a whole lot of meetings together as well,” Lonergan told reporters.
“When he’s got a question or we need to talk about something, we talk as well as half partners. It’s a good group and we look after each other.
“We know ‘Dex’ is under the pump. When you come in as a playmaker for the first time, cause you’ve got to get yourself up to speed so you can let other people know what they’ve got to do in and around their roles.
“He’s done really well so far and he’s continuing to get his head around it. I’ve helped him out a few times and the other 10s are really helping him out there.”
Lonergan is an option to potentially start at scrum-half for the Wallabies against the Irish, with the Reds duo of Tate McDermott and Kalani Thomas also selected. The Brumbies captain has been around the Wallabies set-up for quite some time but didn’t debut until last year.
With McDermott going off injured early against the All Blacks at Eden Park, Lonergan ran out onto the field at the famed rugby venue, becoming Wallaby #993. Another four appearances in gold followed during the back half of the season.
Lonergan returned to club land with the Brums and enjoyed a particularly impressive campaign, which saw the No. 9 achieve the 100-game career milestone in Super Rugby. The 28-year-old started in 14 of 15 appearances, leading to praise from fans and pundits alike.
“I’m feeling good. Again, it’s a new challenge now,” Lonergan said.
“I’ve been at the Brums for a long time and I’m comfortable in that group. Now it’s time to be able to deliver that here if I get the chance.
“Feeling really confident in my game and if I get the chance to go out there and deliver that, it’ll be exciting.”
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