Joe Schmidt delivers update on injured Wallabies stars before Lions

Joe Schmidt has provided a positive update on the injured duo of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, with the Wallabies coach expecting the powerful forwards to be available to face the British & Irish Lions next weekend in Melbourne.

When the Wallabies announced their 23-man squad to take on the visitors in the Lions Series opener in Brisbane, the absence of some big-name stars was a talking point. Skelton and Valetini are both out of the Test, and backup Langi Gleeson is also unavailable.

In the absence of Valetini, Gleeson was named in the starting backrow for Australia’s clash with Fiji in Newcastle earlier this month. Gleeson was a standout for the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific, and the loose forward would’ve been in the mix to face the Lions.

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David Porecki is another significant omission from Australia’s team, with the hooker completing a more than 643-day return to the Test arena before leaving the field for a HIA. Noah Lolesio is another well-reported absentee from the Wallabies squad for the Lions Series.

While Skelton and Valetini won’t play this weekend, Schmidt is confident the pair will be back in the selection mix for the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the coach explaining their absences at a press conference on Thursday.

“Right on the edge to be honest,” Schmidt told reporters.

“If it was the last game of the series I think they would have been in the mix but the risk you take if you put those guys out there and they’re not quite ready and you try to push them through, you might end up worse off.

“I wouldn’t say we’re taking a long-term view with them but we just felt it was the most judicious decision at the time.”

Former Wallabies captain Skelton told reporters this week that he was “raring to go” ahead of the first Test, having missed the Fiji clash with a calf injury. Seated next to former NRL star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Skelton was all smiles to start the Lions Series Test week.

While the La Rochelle lock has since been left out of the matchday side, it’s a double blow for the Wallabies, considering Valetini is also missing. Valetini is the two-time reigning John Eales Medallist, recognised as the Wallabies’ best player.

“Bobby has been a very regular starter for us and a big player for us,” Schmidt said.

“I guess that those are the things that do happen.

“I thought Langi went well against the Fijians. Again, Langi, he was on the cusp as well, he’s just got a little bit of a cork.

“It’s a great opportunity for Nick Champion de Crespigny who’s trained well, had a good Super Rugby season, and is very excited about the opportunity he has.”

In the absence of Valetini and Gleeson, Western Force enforcer Nick Champion de Crespigny has been named to debut at blindside flanker. Champion de Crespigny enjoyed a breakout rookie season with the Force and has been rewarded by coach Schmidt.

After a multi-year stint in France, Champion de Crespigny returned to Australia, starting all 12 appearances for the Force. The backrower averaged 70 minutes per game in 2025 and is now set for an incredible international debut.

“Big shoes to fill,” Schmidt added with a chuckle when asked about Champion de Crespigny.

“The good thing with Nick, he’s a good lineout option. I thought he was very good in the Force lineout.

“He is probably a bit more of a roving scavenger than Bobby V who in the past has been a big ball carrier for us.

“He’ll complement Fraser in that respect. It probably puts a little bit more onus on ‘Wilso’, Harry Wilson, to fulfill the ball carry kind of role.

“At the same time, I do think that Fraser and Nick can help him out with that, and with Carlo coming off the bench, Tom Hooper off the bench, they’re another couple of guys who carry really well for us.”