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Wallabies wing added to new-look Australia A starting team for Fiji clash
Australia A have chopped and changed their team to face Fiji this weekend after opening their Pacific Nations Cup campaign with defeat last week.
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Falling short in a last-gasp 31-26 defeat at the hands of Samoa at ANZ National Stadium in Suva last Saturday, Australia A head coach Jason Gilmore has shuffled his team, bringing in a total of eight new faces into the starting lineup.
Arguably the most notable of the new additions is seven-test Wallabies wing Filipo Daugunu, slotting onto the left wing in place of Reds teammate Jock Campbell, who shifts to fullback at the expense of experienced utility back Reece Hodge.
Together, Daugunu and Campbell form a fresh back three that also features breakout Waratahs star Dylan Pietsch, who comes onto the right wing ahead of his Super Rugby Pacific teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Those three are accompanied by one-test Wallabies midfielder Lalakai Foketi, who moves from centre to second-five and will partner Hudson Creighton in the midfield as Hamish Stewart drops out of the match day side.
That backline will be directed by a new playmaker in the form of standout Waratahs first-five Ben Donaldson, while there are changes aplenty in the forward pack.
Impressive two-test Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight is the only survivor from last week’s loose forward contingent, where Seru Uru and Langi Gleeson replace Tim Anstee and Will Harris at blindside flanker and No 8, respectively.
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Uru’s move to the side of the scrum has opened a vacancy in the second row, which has been filled by Hugh Sinclair, who will act as Ryan Smith’s locking partner.
Reds hooker Matt Faessler, meanwhile, replaces Brumbies counterpart Billy Pollard to join Matt Gibbon and Tom Robertson in the front row.
Of those omitted from the starting team, only Nawaqanitawase has been retained on the bench, where he is accompanied by a largely settled cohort.
Three-test Wallabies hooker Feleti Kaitu’u, props Harry Hoopert, Archer Holz and Rebels halfback James Tuttle are among those who featured from the pine last week.
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That leaves Nawaqanitawase as one of four newbies – alongside Force duo Jeremy Williams and Jackson Pugh, as well as Reds youngster Isaac Henry – in the reserves.
“The squad is really excited about playing Fiji in Fiji,” Gilmore said of his team in a statement.
“It’s a special occasion and this opportunity does not come around too often. For Seru, Filipo, Mark and Langi to play this match in Fiji will be a memorable moment for the boys and their families.
“We were disappointed not to finish the game off against Samoa after fighting our way back into it in the second half.
“Our execution early in the match will be important against an experienced Fiji team. As we know with this team, they can attack from anywhere and we will need to be defensively sharp.”
Eyeing their first victory of the Pacific Nations Cup, Australia A will need to overcome a wondrous Fiji side that proved their class in their 36-0 demolition of Tonga last week.
Kick-off for Saturday’s clash between Australia A and Fiji at Churchill Park in Lautoka is scheduled for 3:30pm local time.
Australia A team to play Fiji
1. Matt Gibbon
2. Matt Faessler
3. Tom Robertson
4. Hugh Sinclair
5. Ryan Smith
6. Seru Uru
7. Fraser McReight (vc)
8. Langi Gleeson
9. Ryan Lonergan (c)
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Filipo Daugunu
12. Lalakai Foketi
13. Hudson Creighton
14. Dylan Pietsch
15. Jock Campbell
Reserves:
16. Feleti Kaitu’u
17. Harry Hoopert
18. Archer Holz
19. Jeremy Williams
20. Jackson Pugh
21. James Tuttle
22. Isaac Henry
23. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments