Australia makes 10 changes for rugby test against Georgia

SYDNEY (AP) — Reds backrower Harry Wilson has been recalled for the first time since 2022 and a rugby sevens flyer has been given a debut among 10 changes to Australia’s starting lineup for Saturday’s test against Georgia.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt continued to rotate through his squad when he announced the 23 on Thursday for his third test in charge, explaining that it’s all in preparation for his Rugby Championship kickoff next month against world champion South Africa.

The hard-running Wilson will start at No. 8 in a backrow also featuring Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini, the only two forwards retained in the starting pack.

Veteran prop Allan Ala’alatoa returned as captain in a front row featuring hooker Billy Pollard and Isaac Kailea, while locks Angus Blyth and Nick Frost replaced Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Jeremy Williams.

James Slipper, who was captain of the team that last week clinched the 2-0 series win over Wales, Taniela Tupou and Matt Faessler have all been rested.

“You’ve got to keep growing your depth,” Schmidt said. “We’ve got a very short-term focus, long-term view. It’s a paradox you almost have to employ so that you best vaccinate against future injury or future changes or form.”

The halves combination has also changed, with Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott replacing Noah Lolesio and Jake Gordon. Lolesio will join Nic White as cover on the bench.

Len Ikitau returns from injury to partner Hunter Paisami in the midfield and elite rugby sevens player Darby Lancaster was named on the wing for his test debut, pushing Andrew Kellaway onto the bench.

Alex Hodgman, a 31-year-old Queensland Reds prop who played four test matches for the All Blacks in 2020, is listed as a reserve. He qualifies for a switch on residency and family grounds and if he makes it into Saturday’s match, he’d become the fourth player to represent both Australia and New Zealand, and the first in 50 years.

“If he gets off the bench and gets on there — it means something to Alex. He’s driven to achieve,” Schmidt said. “He’s not a young prop, he’s experienced. He’s played at the level in a test match for the All Blacks. ”

Georgia has never played a test in Australia. The Wallabies have won the only two previous encounters at Rugby World Cup tournaments, including a 35-15 win in Paris last year when Donaldson and McDermott were the starting halves.

Georgia had wins over Six Nations regulars Wales and Italy in 2022 and is coming off an upset 25-23 win last weekend over Japan, which followed a week after a 21-12 loss to Fiji.

Georgia scored and converted late for the clincher in Japan, making the most of a one-man advantage it had for most of the match after Japanese backrower Kanji Shimokawa was red carded.

Richard Cockerill, who played for England and was an interim coach last year, has been working with Georgia since January. He has a big forward pack that excels at the set piece and will take on the Wallabies’ weakness: the driving maul.

“We’ve huge respect for Georgia,” Schmidt said. “They will see an opportunity, especially on the back of recent wins.

“I guess people have to have faith in (Australia’s) changes. We’ve got faith in the changes. We believe we’re putting a good side out, and they’ll demonstrate that. I’m sure Georgia will have something to say about that.”

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Squads:

Australia: Tom Wright, Filipo Daugunu, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Darby Lancaster, Ben Donaldson, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Angus Blyth, Nick Frost, Allan Ala’alatoa, Billy Pollard, Isaac Kailea, Reserves: Josh Nasser, Alex Hodgman, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Jeremy Williams, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andrew Kellaway.

Georgia (from): Backs: Milkheil Alania, Gela Aprasidze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Tedo Abzhandaze, Luka Matkava, Tornike Kakhoidze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Giorgi Shvelidze, Demur Tapladze, Shalva Aptsiauri, Aka Tabutsandze, Amiran Shvangiradze, Alexander Todua. Forwards: Vano Karkadze, Luka Noirandze, Luka Petriashvili, Giorgi Akhaladze, Irakli Aptsiauri, Giorgi Dzmanashvili, Luka Goginava, Alexsandre Kuntelia, Giorgi Mamaiashvili, Mikheil Babunashvili, Lasha Jaiani, Giorgi Javakhia, Lado Chachanidze, Demur Epremidze, Beka Gorgadze (captain), Ioane Iashaghashvili, Luka Ivanishvili, Tornike Jalaghonia, Beka Saghinadze, Giorgi Tsutskiridze

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby