Wallabies beef up team to play England as duo return from injury

Joe Schmidt has welcomed back some heavy hitters for the Wallabies’ clash with England at Twickenham, with Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto named fit for the matchday 23.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been named in the No.13 jersey and will be hoping to reproduce some of the magic he displayed in his Test debut in the equivalent fixture 12 months ago.

Angus Bell has assumed the starting duties in place of the recently retired 151-cap James Slipper, while Tom Robertson has got the bench nod ahead of former All Blacks Aidan Ross.

Joining Tupou and Bell in the front row is rising star Billy Pollard, who will be backed up by fellow emerging Test talent Josh Nasser. Veteran scrummager Allan Alaalatoa is set to provide stability in a reserve role.

Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will again run out in the second row, with impact provided by the imposing figure of Salakaia-Loto.

A lethal back row of Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, and captain Harry Wilson will be rolled out to counter England’s loose forward stars, and it will be last week’s captain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, who offers cover off the bench.

Jake Gordon will link up with Tane Edmed once more in the halves, with Edmed earning coach Schmidt’s favour ahead of the returning Carter Gordon. Test rookie Ryan Lonergan is named in the no. 21 jersey.

Hunter Paisami joins Suaalii in the midfield, with electric wingers Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen to feed on the outside. Andrew Kellaway will steer the ship at fullback, while Hamish Stewart and Filipo Daugunu complete the bench unit.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The group travelled well to London earlier in the week and have had a couple of trainings ahead of this weekend’s Test.

“The coaches have tried to balance this year’s tough schedule in terms of Test matches and travel, so it was great to freshen a few players up last week and we hope that allows the group to be really competitive on Saturday.”

Wallabies team to play England

1. Angus Bell (45 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
2. Billy Pollard (17 Tests) – #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby
3. Taniela Tupou (65 Tests) – #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (34 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (21 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (58 Tests) – #929; Harlequin Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (35 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (32Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (33 Tests) – #925; Canterbury Juniors
10. Tane Edmed (5 Tests) – #990; West Harbour Juniors
11. Harry Potter (7 Tests) – #989; Moorabbin Rams
12. Hunter Paisami (33 Tests) – #932; Harlequin Rugby Club
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (14 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (17 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Andrew Kellaway (45 Tests) – #943; Hunters Hill Rugby Club

Substitutes

16. Josh Nasser (9 Tests) – #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane)
17. Tom Robertson (37 Tests) – #898; Dubbo Kangaroos
18. Allan Alaalatoa (85 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (44 Tests) – #914; Randwick
20. Nick Champion de Crespigny (3 Tests) – #991; Canberra Grammar School
21. Ryan Lonergan (2 Tests) – #933; Tuggeranong Vikings
22. Hamish Stewart (3 Tests) – #986; Toowoomba Bears
23. Filipo Daugunu (16 Tests) – #931, Wests Bulldogs