New face in coach’s final Wallabies squad as No.10 battle flips
Declan Meredith shapes as Australian rugby’s big mover this week as Joe Schmidt prepares to name his final Wallabies squad on Friday ahead of July’s Nations Championship.
The 26-year-old is a new face in Schmidt’s Players of National Interest squad and has been included in front of Brumbies teammate Tane Edmed, who has been left out despite featuring in the Wallabies’ last six Tests of 2025.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. AP
Despite Australia’s last remaining Super Rugby hopes bombing out in the first week of finals footy earlier this month, the Wallabies have been tight-lipped around the makeup of the squad.
It’s understood that there are around 40 players taking part in the three-day camp in Sydney this week, with Schmidt to unveil a squad of around 36 at Allianz Stadium on June 19 – a fortnight out from the Wallabies’ season opener against Ireland on July 4 at the same venue.
Meredith is set to be one of three playmakers in the squad, with Carter Gordon poised to return to the No.10 jersey after an injury-plagued Spring Tour last November, which saw him play just one of five Tests after returning from the NRL.
Force playmaker Ben Donaldson is also set to return, having been left out of Schmidt’s squad for the end of year tour after struggling for form following an injury ahead of the Wallabies’ sensational win over the Springboks in South Africa.
Tate McDermott is also set to be one of three halfbacks named, with the Reds livewire returning to the squad after missing the second half of last year because of a hamstring injury. It’s believed Ryan Lonergan and Kalani Thomas are the other No.9s.
Reds fullback Jock Campbell is also poised for a selection recall, having been in the Test wilderness for the past four years.
But whether he earns a cap remains to be seen, with Tom Wright in line to return to the No.15 jersey after his own season-ending knee-injury last year.
The two fullbacks will likely be joined in the outside backs by Max Jorgensen, Filipo Daugunu, Dylan Pietsch and Corey Toole. Harry Potter is another who could force his way in after making the Players Of National Interest (PONI) squad despite a frustrating year at the Waratahs.
But the news isn’t as good for code-hopper Zac Lomax, with the Western Force recruit battling a groin niggle.
It’s in the midfield that Schmidt has some decisions to make, especially with Len Ikitau finishing up his season with Exeter this weekend and Japan-bound Hunter Paisami likely to miss the three July Tests because of a knee injury.
Zac Lomax is unlikely to feature for the Wallabies in July after being plagued by a groin issue. Getty
His absence could see a new inside centre enter the mix, with Isaac Henry and David Feliuai included in the PONI squad.
Benetton-bound midfielder Josh Flook is also firmly in the mix to play against Ireland.
The picture is clearer up front, with Angus Bell set to start against Ireland after finishing his one-off season with Ulster. The Wallabies’ most capped player, James Slipper, is also set to come out of international retirement for the Tests.
Bell’s likely to be joined in the squad by Taniela Tupou once the tight-head prop’s campaign with Racing 92 in the French Top 14 comes to an end this month.
Tupou will be joined in the squad by Allan Alaalatoa, while uncapped Massimo de Lutiis and Zane Nonggorr are battling it out for the third tight-head role.
At hooker, Brandon Paenga-Amosa will likely return after a strong finish for the Western Force.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Jeremy Williams shape as automatic picks in the second-row, leaving Josh Canham, Nick Frost and uncapped Brumbies young gun Lachie Shaw to battle it out for at most two spots. Exeter’s Tom Hooper can switch between lock and the back-row.
Tom Hooper will likely return for the July Tests despite moving to Exeter. Getty
The back-row is likely to take on a familiar look, with Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson firming as starters.
But fit-again Charlie Cale could return, and he could be joined by Brumbies teammate Rory Scott, who is considered a genuine bolter in the squad.
The Wallabies will also meet France in Brisbane and Italy in Perth in July.
The three July Tests represent the start of the Wallabies’ Nations Championship campaign.
The matches will also bring the curtain down on Schmidt’s Wallabies coaching tenure, with outgoing Reds coach Les Kiss to take over ahead of the Tests against Japan in August.
