James Slipper set to make Australian record as Joe Schmidt makes wholesale changes
James Slipper is set to become the most capped player for Australia
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James Slipper is set to become the most-capped Australian player when he takes the field in the Bledisloe opener against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday.
Slipper is set to make his 140th appearance for the Wallabies when he comes off the bench with head coach Joe Schmidt making wholesale changes to the line up with a aim to return back to winning ways after a record defeat against Argentina in the previous round.
The return of Tom Wright to fullback sees Andrew Kellaway moving to right wing joining Marika Koroibete at left. Hunter Paisami returns to the midfield at the expense of Hamish Stewart while Noah Lolesio takes the fly-half role from Ben Donaldson with Nic White replacing Jake Gordon at scrum half.
Harry Wilson will continue to captain in the back row that sees a change with Fraser McReight replacing Carlo Tizzano.
“The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year," said Schmidt.
"I understand the firepower that we're up against on Saturday," he added.
"And I understand that having been associated with them and watching that World Cup final and playing 55 minutes with 14 players and losing by a point, where you have a couple of tries in the second half and one that didn't count.
"That's how narrow the margins were. That's how good they are. That in itself should keep our Wallaby boys on edge, I've no doubt."
“We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”
Australia XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell
Reserves: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch
