'A bit of a catch 22 there': Joe Schmidt set to spring Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shock for Wales Test

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is set to spring a selection shock by demoting Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the bench for Monday's (AEDT) Autumn Nations Series Test against Wales in Cardiff.

Suaalii won man of the match in an extraordinary debut in the thrilling 42-37 win over England in London on Sunday (AEDT).

The assumption was that the 21-year-old would be allowed to build on his promising midfield partnership with Len Ikitau but The Roar reported that Suaalii would be replaced in the starting side by Samu Kerevi.

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Japan-based Kerevi was not in the matchday 23 against England.

Legendary Wallabies centre Tim Horan was asked whether Ikitau and Suaalii should be the long-term starting duo.

"It would have been interesting to see what Joe Schmidt would have done if Hunter Paisami was fit for this Test match. Would he have started with Suaalii on the bench? But I tell you what, a great combination they built and just the offloads they both got away and they backed themselves," Horan said on Stan Sport's Rugby Heaven.

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"So it could be, yes, it's only one Test match for the combination, but it could be a long-term opportunity for this Wallabies pairing and sometimes they can swap too because whether they've got 12 or 13 on their back doesn't really matter I don't think with these two."

Former Wallabies outside back Cameron Shepherd agreed with Horan's take.

"The great thing that Suaalii brought coming into the team was that ability to go inside and on an unders line but also bounce on the outside," he said.

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"So many times he used his footwork, got to the outside, stayed on his feet, kept the ball alive and that little basketball pass over the top committed two defenders on his own (for Tom Wright's try).

"So he's got a variety of skills and I think the balance with Ikitau is working so well because it's taking a bit of that pressure away from him."

Horan was impressed with Suaalii's enthusiasm and leadership on debut.

"He was going up to players, grabbing them by the chest and pumping guys up. So that was really important," the two-time Rugby World Cup winner said.

"I can't wait for the next couple of Test matches to see him in space with ball in hand... he's got his feet on the ground, he understands he's got to improve in a lot of different areas but we didn't see a lot of him with ball in hand in open space. So I can't wait to see that.

"And also defensively, he jammed up a little bit a couple of times, which was good and he waited for Len Ikitau so he's trying to work together in that centre pairing."

Shepherd also warned that Wales would have a game plan to try and shut Suaalii down at Principality Stadium.

"When someone bursts on the scene in international rugby and even in Super Rugby, you don't have a lot of footage to start analysing them," he said.

"I know it's only one game but now Wales has actually got something to say, 'hey, what's this guy good at' and they're going to come up with a game plan.

"The more he plays, yes, he's going to get better. But our opposition are certainly going to have more time to analyse him and see how to shut him down. So it's going to be difficult. To see him react this weekend - I think they're (Wales) going to try a lot more one on one tackling instead of sending two guys and creating that overlap. So it's sort of a bit of a catch 22 there.

"But more time in the saddle for Suaalii, he's only going to get better."

Schmidt will name his team on Saturday (12.30am AEDT).

Meanwhile, Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the second string Australia XV side against England A on Monday (AEDT).

Lonergan takes the reins from Force recruit Darcy Swain after the 10-10 draw with the Bristol Bears.

"We had a really valuable hit out against Bristol last week and we've trained well again, as we try to build some more cohesion among the group and provide opportunities to those in the squad," coach Rod Seib said.

"To play England A at an iconic ground such as The Stoop is going to be a memorable experience for our players and I know it's a challenge they're looking forward to."

The game will be streamed ad free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.

Australia XV team

1. Harry Hoopert - Western Force

2. Josh Nasser – Queensland Reds

3. Massimo De Lutiis – Queensland Reds

4. Ryan Smith (vc) – Queensland Reds

5. Josh Canham - Queensland Reds

6. Tom Hooper - ACT Brumbies

7. Luke Reimer - ACT Brumbies

8. Joe Brial - Queensland Reds

9. Ryan Lonergan (c) - ACT Brumbies

10. Tom Lynagh – Queensland Reds

11. Darby Lancaster – NSW Waratahs

12. Hamish Stewart - Western Force

13. Joey Walton - NSW Waratahs

14. Corey Toole - ACT Brumbies

15. Jock Campbell – Queensland Reds

Substitutes

16. Lachlan Lonergan – ACT Brumbies

17. Tom Lambert – NSW Waratahs

18. Rhys van Nek - ACT Brumbies

19. Angus Blyth - Queensland Reds

20. Rory Scott - ACT Brumbies

21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa - Western Force

22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Queensland Reds

23. Ollie Sapsford - ACT Brumbies