Kerevi, Valetini to play 50th Tests against Wales in Cardiff

November 15, 2024
279
Ultimate Rugby

Inside centre Samu Kerevi and back rower Rob Valetini will play their 50th Tests for Australia when the Wallabies take on Wales at Principality Stadium on Sunday afternoon local time.

Kerevi will bring up the milestone having made his debut in 2016 and has been selected to play his first International since the Wallabies last match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He’ll partner Len Ikitau in the midfield.

Back-to-back John Eales Medallist, Valetini will reach his 50th cap, remarkably only missing two Tests since 2020. He moves to the number eight jersey, with Harry Wilson ruled out, and will link with Fraser McReight and Seru Uru in the back row. Uru earning his first start in just his second Test.

Tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa has been named to captain the side in Cardiff and will combine with Angus Bell and Matt Faessler in the front row.

France-based Will Skelton has also been selected for his first Test of 2024 and will partner Nick Frost as the run on locks.

The experienced Nic White will return to the number nine jersey where he will reignite a familiar combination with flyhalf Noah Lolesio.

After scoring the match winning try in last weekend’s game, Max Jorgensen has been named to start on the left wing in place of the injured Dylan Pietsch, with Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright completing the back three, as right winger and fullback respectively.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa is again the substitute hooker and will work alongside Gold Coast juniors James Slipper and Zane Nonggorr as the replacement front row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Langi Gleeson the remaining forward cover.

Queensland’s Tate McDermott will again look to provide impact as the replacement scrumhalf, alongside Ben Donaldson who can cover a number of positions across the backline, while last week’s debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii rounds out the matchday 23.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “Last week’s Test was fast-paced and physical and we’ve brought in some freshness for what’s going to be another bruising encounter in Cardiff.”

“As a group we’ve worked hard this week, knowing that there will be plenty of pressure on us this weekend.”

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Wallabies team to play Wales at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday November 17 at 4:10pm GMT/3:10am AEDT (Monday)

1.⁠ ⁠Angus Bell (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2.⁠ ⁠Matt Faessler (13 Tests) – USQ Saints

3.⁠ ⁠Allan Alaalatoa (c) (77 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

4.⁠ ⁠Nick Frost (22 Tests) – Hornsby Lions

5.⁠ ⁠Will Skelton (30 Tests) – The Hills Sports High School

6.⁠ ⁠Seru Uru (1 Test) – Wests Bulldogs

7.⁠ ⁠Fraser McReight (23 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8.⁠ ⁠Rob Valetini* (49 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

9.⁠ ⁠Nic White (70 Tests) – Maitland Blacks