Marika Koroibete ruled out as Wallabies make key changes for Bledisloe II

Coach Joe Schmidt has made some significant changes to the Wallabies’ side as they prepare to take on the All Blacks in Wellington. Following the team’s tough loss in Sydney, Schmidt has recalled Jake Gordon but two veterans have been left out of the 23 altogether.

Winger Marika Koroibete has suffered a wrist injury and has been replaced by Dylan Pietsch in the No. 11 jersey. Koroibete came under fire following a poor performance in Wallaby gold at Accor Stadium but this change is forced due to that injury.

In the halves, Jake Gordon is back in the run-on side after missing the Bledisloe Cup series opener. The 31-year-old has largely been viewed as the Wallabies’ first-choice halfback by coach Schmidt, while Tate McDermott has regularly been used off the pine.

James Slipper also makes way for Isaac Kailea in a move that has come as a bit of a surprise before Bledisloe II. Slipper was celebrated last weekend after becoming the most-capped Wallaby ever, but the veteran prop won’t suit up for what would’ve been his 141^st Test.

Ben Donaldson also replaces Tom Lynagh on the bench.

“We didn’t help ourselves last weekend falling behind early to a fast-moving, high-tempo All Blacks side,” coach Schmidt said in a statement.

“We know we will need to start better than we did last week, with the physical edge and accuracy required.”

Angus Bell joins Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou in an unchanged front row, while Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams round out the tight five. Schmidt has opted against recalling Lukhan Salakaia-Loto into the First XV, with the lock instead named on the bench.

Wallabies enforcer Rob Valetini will combine with Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson as the three loose forwards again this week. They were quite brilliant as a trio last weekend, with McReight returning from injury in Sydney after missing the previous four Tests.

Gordon will link up with playmaker Noah Lolesio in the halves again, while Hunter Paisami joins Len Ikitau in the midfield. With Koroibete dropping out of the side, Pietsch gets the nod on the left wing by Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright have retained their spots.

On the bench, Josh Flook is back in the mix for the first time since the Wallabies’ heaviest-ever defeat when the visitors went down to Los Pumas in Santa Fe earlier this month. This will be Flook’s fourth appearance for the Wallabies.

This All Blacks haven’t won at Wellington’s Sky Stadium and the Wallabies will be eager to keep that record going. This match is scheduled to get underway at 5:05 pm AEST on Saturday evening in New Zealand’s windy capital.

Wallabies team to take on All Blacks in Wellington

First XV

1. Angus Bell
2. Matt Faessler
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Nick Frost
5. Jeremy Williams
6. Rob Valetini
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson
9. Jake Gordon
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Dylan Pietsch
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Len Ikitau
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Tom Wright

Replacements

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Allan Alaalatoa
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
20. Langi Gleeson
21. Tate McDermott
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Josh Flook