'Take a breath': Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii dropped to bench for Wallabies Test against Wales

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will be among Australia's replacements for the Test match against Wales on Monday (AEDT), a week after making a stunning debut in senior rugby in the Wallabies' win at England.

Suaalii, who only switched from rugby league last month, dropped to the bench to accommodate the return of Samu Kerevi at inside centre.

Kerevi will play his 50th Test for Australia and his first international since last year's Rugby World Cup.

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"So for him just to be able to take a breath and watch a bit of game before entering, it is a great opportunity for us to change it up if required," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said.

"There was that temptation to keep him there to a degree.

"Anybody who plays four consecutive Tests against the ranked countries we are up against, that's a big challenge for anybody, particularly playing the full 80 minutes."

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Seru Uru will make his first start, in just his second Test, after coming in to replace injured No.8 Harry Wilson, who is going through concussion protocols.

Rob Valetini, also set for his 50th Test, will switch to play No.8 to allow Uru at flanker.

Will Skelton, who plays in France with La Rochelle, was picked for his first Test of 2024 while scrumhalf Nic White and winger Max Jorgensen came in for Jake Gordon and the injured Dylan Pietsch, respectively.

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Allan Alaalatoa took the captaincy from Wilson, who led the team in the 42-37 win at Twickenham.

“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," Schmidt said.

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

"We've had 17 or 18 debutants this year. We're a little bit in a similar situation to Wales.

"It's why getting Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi back in this week, it does help with a level of experience across the board."

Wales has lost 10 straight matches, tying its all-time record. Included in that run were two defeats by the Wallabies in July Down Under.

Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Samu Kerevi, Max Jorgensen, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Seru Uru, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa (captain), Matt Faessler, Angus Bell. Reserves: ⁠Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Joseph Sua'ali'i.