Wallabies v Lions - 3rd Test, Accor Stadium, Saturday 2 August

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

JUSTICE FOR SALAKAIA-LOTO

You have to assume he'll be included for the Spingboks games...?

 

[whitefalcon]

insane that Tupou has near 60 caps. Pretty durable player and still not old for a prop. What could've been.

Here i was thinking its crazy that Wilson, Frost, Porecki are all only in the 20s for caps.

Porecki makes some sense with his injuries but Wilson and Frost have been playing for nearly 5 years havent they?

 

[Joe Blow]

Wilson longer than Frost. He debuted the same test as Lolesio against the ABs I think but has gone through periods of being overlooked. Frost has been around a few years less at this level.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

I've actually been encouraged by Frost this series. I think he's put on some size, been absolutely lights off at lineout time and been a bit more physical than we usually expect of him. That being said when you play him opposite Williams versus Skelton you definitely notice the overall shift in oomph. Maybe Frost and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is the combination to get us through the RC.

 

[Joe Blow]

Is Skelton not sticking around for the RC? Frost is getting better with each game and coming into his own physically. Future captain? Understands the game well and has humility.

 

[dillyboy]

Is Skelton not sticking around for the RC? Frost is getting better with each game and coming into his own physically. Future captain? Understands the game well and has humility.

Frost is the same age as Wilson.

Surely you look to someone younger to earmark as a future captain.....

Schmidt seems hesitant to name a permanent captain (even though he's stuck with Wilson recently) so Kiss coming in could change this trend

 

[Major Tom]

Wallabies team to play British & Irish Lions at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday August 2 at 7:45pm AEST

1. James Slipper (146 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates

2. David Porecki (21 Tests) - #952; Seaforth Raiders

3. Taniela Tupou (58 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (28 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions

5. Will Skelton (33 Tests) - #883; The Hills Sports High School

6. Tom Hooper (12 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs

7. Fraser McReight (28 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Harry Wilson (c) (25 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Nic White (72 Tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks

10. Tom Lynagh (5 Tests) - #977; University of Queensland

11. Dylan Pietsch (5 Tests) - #978, Leeton Phantoms

12. Len Ikitau (42 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings

13. Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i (7 Tests) – #988; The Kings School

14. Max Jorgensen (10 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves

15. Tom Wright (40 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Billy Pollard (9 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club

17. Angus Bell (39 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club

18. Zane Nonggorr (11 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles

19. Jeremy Williams (13 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers

20. Langi Gleeson (16 Tests) - #960; Harbord Harlequins

21. Tate McDermott (44 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (18 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles

23. Andrew Kellaway (40 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club

I like this team. Probably the best we could do minus AAA and Bobby obviously.
Defensively, still think we’re vulnerable though.

 

[rugbyAU]

Wilson longer than Frost. He debuted the same test as Lolesio against the ABs I think but has gone through periods of being overlooked. Frost has been around a few years less at this level.

Wilson debuted in the first test of 2020 in Wellington

 

[rugbyAU]

Is Skelton not sticking around for the RC? Frost is getting better with each game and coming into his own physically. Future captain? Understands the game well and has humility.

Skelton isn’t available for TRC

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Frost is the same age as Wilson.

Surely you look to someone younger to earmark as a future captain.....

Schmidt seems hesitant to name a permanent captain (even though he's stuck with Wilson recently) so Kiss coming in could change this trend

I think Frost figures to be more essential/pickable than Wilson long term though... plenty of interesting back rows you could throw out there without Harry in them, but I think Frost will be pivotal from a lineout perspective for a long time, particularly if he's lining up opposite Skelton/LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)

 

[Slim 293]

The British & Irish Lions v Wallabies

Accor Stadium, Sydney, Saturday 2nd August, 2025, KO: 11:00 BST

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #881

14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) #858

13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #878

12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837

11. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) #882

10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #879

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #876

2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #873

3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (C) #825

5. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #880

6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838

7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853

8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #864

17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England) #859

18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England) #877

19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England) #875

20. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) #861

21. Ben Earl (Saracens/England) #857

22. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860

23. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England) #780

 

[Strewthcobber]

Thought they might rotate a few more through. Looks like they want that 0-3

 

[Joe Blow]

Frost is the same age as Wilson.

Surely you look to someone younger to earmark as a future captain.....

Schmidt seems hesitant to name a permanent captain (even though he's stuck with Wilson recently) so Kiss coming in could change this trend

Younger is not always better. Frost is just coming into his own as a test lock now and will be around for a while.

 

[Micheal]

What's interesting to note in hindsight is that "Yes Skelton" / "No Skelton" debate on this forum once raged almost as passionately as the infamous Foley / Cooper debate, and was something that people were unsure about up until only about 6 - 12 months ago.

It's nice to see it resolved and to see him step up to his potential. We don't have a heap of players who demand inclusion or who add a genuine point of difference, so it's somewhat comforting to see a name on a team sheet and take a sense of confidence from it.

 

[Super Hooper]

So the team with the most physicality and power in their forwards chose a 6-2 bench. While the team with the lightest and most vulnerable forwards pack chose a 5-3 bench. A point for Andy Farrell. 0-3 for them.

 

[Super Hooper]

Thought they might rotate a few more through. Looks like they want that 0-3

And Joe chose Nic White cause it's his last game. Some go all-in, while others are in a tribute game

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Frost is the same age as Wilson.

Surely you look to someone younger to earmark as a future captain.....

Schmidt seems hesitant to name a permanent captain (even though he's stuck with Wilson recently) so Kiss coming in could change this trend

It seems to tell me there isn’t anyone who’s irreplaceable in his eyes and I’d agree with that.

If someone blew the doors down in Super Rugby they can take a Wallabies jersey. Barely anyone bar Len and Bobby should be given a right to hold for a time before getting dropped.

 

[Tomthumb]

It seems to tell me there isn’t anyone who’s irreplaceable in his eyes and I’d agree with that.

If someone blew the doors down in Super Rugby they can take a Wallabies jersey. Barely anyone bar Len and Bobby should be given a right to hold for a time before getting dropped.

Yes but it’s never ideal to not have a full time captain

 

[Mr Pilfer]

And Joe chose Nic White cause it's his last game. Some go all-in, while others are in a tribute game

Yeah I was hoping to see Mack Hansen get a run in this one and thought he might have snuck Pollock into the bench but clearly rewarding the ones that have performed and giving them the chance for the whitewash.

I can understand the reason for picking Nic White, he is a good motivator and always keeps you in the fight, plus will be very hungry. Pietsch should bring the same. Tupou hmm will wait and see what he brings

 

[upthereds#!]

- Ross and Slipper both LHP. Slipper maybe injured?
- LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) won't feature because he's not in the squad.
- I think Samu misses out because they'll pick either Daungunu (maybe) or Kellaway (probably) to round out the 5/3 split.
Otherwise it should be a solid team. And I like Tupou on when Skeleton is on because I think he'll keep him accountable. Also that side of the scrum should fist them if the ref opens his eyes.

Robertson was the 3rd option for LHP, but has been specialising at THP with Nonggoor, Tupou and Ala'alatoa. Makes some sense to bring in a LHP (plus no other THs to bring in! )

Bell Slipper Ross
Tupou Nonggoor Robertson