Predicted Wallabies XV: Ex NRL gun Zac Lomax rockets into the mix as coach Schmidt ponders big headache

The AFL and NRL might have only just got underway, but we're now on the home straight in Super Rugby - and that means we're getting closer to the start of the Nations Cup and Joe Schmidt's final Wallabies squad before handing the coaching reins to Les Kiss in August.

But before Kiss gets his hands on the Wallabies, Schmidt will be desperate to finish his two-and-a-half year tenure on a high.

While World Rugby ranking points aren't as important as last year, given next year's World Cup draw is already set in stone, precious points are up for grabs for the inaugural Nations Cup as the Wallabies prepare to host Ireland, France and Italy. 

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Schmidt's legacy with the Wallabies is also somewhat on the line.

No-one will be able to take his Lions scalp away, nor their drought-breaking win in Johannesburg against the Springboks, but he can still walk away with a 50 per cent win-loss record if the Wallabies go unbeaten throughout their home Tests in July. Currently, only Dave Rennie (36 per cent) has a worse winning percentage than Schmidt's 11/28 (39 per cent) record as Wallabies coach since the game turned professional in the mid-1990s.

Schmidt, who became increasingly conservative the longer the Wallabies' whopping 15 Test match season continued in 2025, has several big selection headaches to consider too.

Injuries (Will Skelton, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Tom Lynagh, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Tom Wright), slow starts to the year (Nick Frost) and players playing overseas (Angus Bell, Tom Hooper, Len Ikitau and Taniela Tupou) has meant very few positions are locked and loaded just 84 days out from the Wallabies' opening Test against Andy Farrell's Irish side in Sydney.

In particular, the No.10 jersey appears wide open. Gordon's knee-injury suffered in the win over the Crusaders could cloud it further, especially given he's not yet taken on the kicking responsibilities. But the biggest bolter out of the bunch of playmakers this year is the Brumbies' Declan Meredith.

It would be a bold call to hand him a debut cap in the season opener though.  

Schmidt will likely throw caution to the wind with NRL recruit Zac Lomax, who enjoyed an eye-catching debut for the Force during their narrow defeat to the Drua last weekend.

Given we've crossed the halfway point of the Super Rugby season, we've decided to get in early to take a stab at what Schmidt's matchday 23 could look like.

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Prop: James Slipper might have called time on his Wallabies career, but Schmidt still has plenty of options to draw upon. Bell, 25, might be enjoying a sabbatical season at Ulster in the United Rugby Championship, but the experienced Wallaby is expected to be back in time regardless of whether his Irish side makes the final on July 20. If he's fit, he's a lock, with his ball carrying vital. Who else joins him in the side is less certain however. Indeed, Tom Robertson and Aidan Ross both spent time in the Wallabies' matchday 23 last year. At present, Ross might have his nose just in front. The other option is Blake Schoupp - and he could leapfrog both of them. Tom Lambert is also knocking on the door after getting more minutes in the Waratahs' No.1 jersey in Bell's absence.

On the other side of the scrum, the return of Allan Alaalatoa last weekend would have been music to the ears of Schmidt. His long-term rival in the No.3 jersey, Taniela Tupou, hasn't yet started for his new Parisian club Racing 92, but he's produced a couple of match-winning efforts off the bench. Who the third tight-head prop is remains to be seen. Zane Nonggorr has been a regular in the Wallabies' squad over the past three years, but he's been barely used and his form isn't exactly screaming 'pick me'. Indeed, Reds rookie Nick Bloomfield has started ahead of him in recent weeks. Massimo De Lutiis might have also been re-signed by RA, but the rising prop needs to get on the field before he'll seriously enter the mix. Meanwhile, Rhys Van Nek's injury came at the worst possible time.

Hooker: After Dave Porecki retired last year and Matt Faessler had an injury-disrupted season, Billy Pollard emerged as Schmidt's regular hooker in 2026. Halfway through the season, the Brumbies rake still looks the best of the bench. Faessler and his Reds colleague Josh Nasser both enjoyed some time in the Wallabies last year, but both have had slow starts to the year and will want to find their rhythm, particularly at the lineout. Brandon Paenga-Amosa was one of the Force's better players in their narrow loss to the Drua, with his scrummaging a standout, but it's the Waratahs' Ethan Dobbins who is mounting a compelling case. Indeed, the 25-year-old is currently ahead of 2019 World Cup member, Folau Fainga'a, and his improved throw, strong work-rate and ability to get on the ball has stood out. 

Lock: Will Skelton's season-ending injury in France has quickly turned the focus on the Wallabies' locks. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is the closest like-for-like option, but the Reds lock hasn't always been Schmidt's cup of tea. Nonetheless, his size should have him back firmly in the mix. The other significant question mark hovering over the second-row is the form, or lack thereof, of Frost. A Test regular since bursting onto the international scene in 2022, it took a month before Stephen Larkham called upon Frost to play a minute this year. While the 206cm lock had a knee niggle at the start of the year, it's believed the strong form of Cadeyrn Neville and Lachie Shaw, as well as Toby Macpherson, was simply keeping Frost out of the side. We're backing Frost to rediscover some of his best form the deeper the season goes. Speaking of Shaw, the 200cm lock could well be one of the few rookies in Schmidt's squad after a fine start to the year. Force captain Jeremy Williams will also be in the squad and be right in the mix for a starting spot. Who the fourth lock is could come down to whether Schmidt wants a look at the future or instead another rugged, experienced soul like Matt Philip.

Back-row: If there's an area of strength in the Wallabies, it's probably the back-row. Rob Valetini is world class and is back to his best after an injury-disrupted 2025 campaign, Reds skipper Fraser McReight is the regular No.7 while No.8 Harry Wilson is the incumbent captain. Of the three, Wilson's position is the most up for debate. That's as much to do with the re-emergence of Charlie Cale and coming of age of Exeter-based Hooper as Wilson's form. Carlo Tizzano might be sidelined for now, but the flanker's on-ball strength and doggedness in defence should have him remain as McReight's backup. Pete Samu's experience and versatility should also see him keep his spot in the Wallabies' wider squad, while Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny, who captained Australia against Japan, is another still showing plenty of physicality. Reds back-rower Joe Brial will likely enter the mix when Kiss arrives. Ditto Seru Uru, who hasn't been as effective in the second-row.

Halfback: With McDermott yet to play a game since his season-ending hamstring injury against the All Blacks last September, most have pitted incumbent No.9 Jake Gordon against the Brumbies' captain Ryan Lonergan. If Larkham was picking the side, Lonergan would surely be his pick and solve the Wallabies' goal-kicking conundrum. But Schmidt has regularly backed Gordon and there's not much to suggest he won't again in July, especially after the Waratahs veteran outplayed his rival when the men in blue beat the Brumbies in Canberra recently. And while McDermott could be sidelined for another month, the Reds halfback's speed and tempo will likely see him book his seat on the bench once he's back fit. Outside of those three, the Force's Henry Robertson could be a bolter, especially if there's an injury to one of the experienced three. The fact he's the best defensive nine in Australian rugby won't hurt either. Benetton-bound Louis Werchon could also bolt into the mix, but likely only if McDermott is out

Fly-half: Despite not yet kicking for goal - or the sideline from penalties - Carter Gordon is a certainty to be in the squad should he be fit. After all, Rugby Australia isn't about to turn away from the fly-half having gone out on a limb to bring him back to Super Rugby from a brief stay in the NRL. But Schmidt will be hoping the 25-year-old is back on the park quickly, having sustained a suspected medial knee injury. That injury could also open the door for Tom Lynagh to regain the Reds No.10 jersey, especially after his own injury-disrupted year. The fact Lynagh held his own against the Lions and is a notable sharp-shooter should have him still right in the mix. On form, Ben Donaldson is right in the mix, too. But does Schmidt see it that way? The Force playmaker went from featuring in all three matchday teams against the Lions to missing selection for the end of season tour. While Donaldson's name will be spoken by many, he could be up against Brumbies No.10 Declan Meredith, who also happens to be keeping Tane Edmed - one of Schmidt's pet projects since arriving in Australian rugby - out of the starting side. James O'Connor, who is currently playing with Leicester Tigers, isn't expected to immediately be called upon either. Nor is Japan-based Noah Lolesio.

Midfield: With Samu Kerevi not yet being considered and Angus Crichton still playing in the NRL, it's likely Schmidt will continue with Ikitau, who is due back from injury for Exeter very soon, in the No.12 position despite many still believing his best position is one position further out. And while Hunter Paisami is off to Japan at year's end, Schmidt could still keep the Reds midfielder in the mix for the short-term. That isn't likely to stop Isaac Henry from entering the mix, though. Suaalii is likely to keep the No.13 jersey, while Filipo Daugunu also gives them flexibility. And could Jordan Petaia be back in the mix? If he's not in July, it wouldn't surprise anyone to see Kiss turn to him throughout The Rugby Championship. 

Outside backs: While the Wallabies did plenty of good things in 2025, Schmidt's side never really recovered after the season-ending injury to Tom Wright in Cape Town last August. The Brumbies No.15 could even return this weekend against the Drua. As such, Wright is odds on to return to the role under Schmidt. Max Jorgensen is an obvious lock on the wing. While the other wing spot is wide open, with Dylan Pietsch and Duagunu likely just ahead of Corey Toole, especially given Jorgensen isn't the biggest winger running around. It's also likely a race against the clock for NRL recruit Lomax. But given the former Origin flyer's eye-catching cameo against the Drua, you wouldn't rule out Schmidt selecting him as a development player in July, especially given Harry Potter's struggles since moving to the Waratahs.

Brumbies veteran Andy Muirhead deserves to be in the conversation, too - and his ability to cover fullback can only add to that argument. As does Northampton Saints flyer James Ramm, who will enter the mix after signing with the Force earlier this year. It might be a fraction early for Waratahs rookie Sid Harvey.

Predicted Wallabies team for season opener against Ireland on July 4 at Allianz Stadium.

Wallabies XV: Angus Bell, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Jake Gordon, Carter Gordon, Max Jorgensen, Len Ikitau, Joseph Aukso-Suaalii, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Wright  

Replacements: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu 

Wider squad: Ethan Dobbins, Tom Robertson, Zane Nonggorr, Lachie Shaw, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Isaac Henry, Corey Toole, Zac Lomax