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James O’Connor replaces Noah Lolesio as Wallabies name squad for Lions
By Finn Morton
James O’Connor hasn’t played a Test for the Wallabies since 2022, but the fly-half has taken a significant step towards a return to the international arena after being named in the Wallabies squad to take on the British & Irish Lions.
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O’Connor helped the Crusaders take out the Super Rugby Pacific title in 2025 which led many to question whether the playmaker should return to the national setup, but coach Joe Schmidt went in a different direction when the first squad of the year was announced.
Schmidt went with the familiar trio of Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh, but injury has forced a change ahead of the Lions Series. Lolesio has been ruled out after suffering a devastating blow against the Flying Fijians, leading to O’Connor’s return to the Wallabies.
This is one of only two changes to the squad named to take on Fiji, with Queensland Reds lock Josh Canham also included. Uncapped prospects Nick Champion de Crespigny and Corey Toole have been picked as well, meaning they could debut against the Lions.
James Slipper has played the most Tests out of any Wallaby ever, and the front-rower has made more history by being named in this squad, set to join George Smith as the only two who have ever represented the Wallabies in two successive Lions Series.
This squad was announced in Brisbane on Friday, and it consists of 20 forwards and 16 backs. The side will stay in Brisbane ahead of the Test-series opener at Suncorp Stadium in eight days time, followed by matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
“As Wallabies coaches, we have tried to balance continuity with form and freshness, but there were some very tight calls,” Schmidt said in a statement.
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“We’re conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so for those selected in the squad, they’ll be competing for Test jerseys, while also trying to help others prepare. We need to improve our accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first Test here in eight days”.
“We are excited by what’s to come.”
Wallabies squad to take on the British & Irish Lions
Forwards (20)
Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies, 81)
Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 36)
Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 1)
Nick Champion De Crespigny (uncapped, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 0)
Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints, Queensland Reds, 14)
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 26)
Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbord Harlequins, NSW Waratahs, 15)
Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs, ACT Brumbies, 11)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 26)
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 11)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 7)
David Porecki (#952, Seaforth Raiders, NSW Waratahs, 20)
Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 31)
Will Skelton (#883, The Hills Sports High School, Stade Rochelais (France), 32)
James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates, ACT Brumbies, 144)
Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 6)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), NSW Waratahs, 58)
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 52)
Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 11)
Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 23)
Backs (16)
Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Rugby Club (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 12)
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles, Western Force, 17)
Jake Gordon (#925, Canterbury Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 40)
Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 8)
Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 39)
Tom Lynagh (#977, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds, 3)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 42)
James O’Connor (#832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee, Crusaders (New Zealand), 64)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 31)
Dylan Pietsch (#978, Leeton Phantoms, Western Force, 5)
Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, Western Force, 3)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 5)
Corey Toole (uncapped, Wagga Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, 0)
Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks, Western Force, 72)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles, ACT Brumbies, 38)
Unavailable for selection due to injury
Charlie Cale
Massimo De Lutiis
Noah Lolesio
Liam Wright
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