Wallabies coach Les Kiss has moved star forward Rob Valetini to the bench and named Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wing for Monday's Test against England at Twickenham. Len Ikitau returns to the midfield after missing the Sydney Bledisloe due to concussion, while Taniela Tupou returns on a heavyweight bench.
Valetini, a two-time John Eales medallist and a fixture in the starting side, was shifted after Kiss gave Jeremy Williams the number 6 jersey and recalled Josh Canham to the starting second row alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. Williams has started in the back row in Super Rugby six times but never in a Test match. Valetini has started 63 of his 71 Tests, but Joe Schmidt also benched him twice on last year's spring tour.
Angus Bell returns at loosehead prop and Billy Pollard replaces Josh Nasser at hooker, the only other starting changes in the pack. In the backline, Ikitau slots in at number 12, with Isaac Henry shifting to outside centre. Suaalii starts on the wing, with Harry Potter dropping out.
On the bench, Isaac Kailea earns a recall at reserve prop, Aidan Ross misses out, and Ben Donaldson returns from a groin injury as back-up number 10. The Wallabies face England at Twickenham on Monday November 9, with kick-off at 2.10am AEDT.
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- SupportedRob Valetini has been moved to the bench for the England clash.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Wallabies coach Les Kiss has rolled the dice by shifting star forward Rob Valetini to the bench for the blockbuster clash with England at Twickenham on Monday (AEDT).”
- SupportedJoseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been named on the wing.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Valetini’s shift to the reserves bench came as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was also named back on the wing”
- SupportedThe Wallabies will play England at Twickenham on Monday, November 9, with kick-off at 2.10am AEDT.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Wallabies v England, Monday November 9 at 2.10am AEDT”
- SupportedLes Kiss is the Wallabies coach.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Wallabies coach Les Kiss has rolled the dice”
- SupportedLen Ikitau returns to the midfield after missing the Sydney Bledisloe due to concussion.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Ikitau has returned after missing the Sydney Bledisloe due to concussion”
- SupportedTaniela Tupou returns and is named on a heavyweight bench.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou has also returned and was named on a heavyweight bench”
- SupportedJeremy Williams has been given the No.6 jersey for the England clash.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Kiss elected to shift regular lock Jeremy Williams across to the No.6 jersey for the England clash”
- SupportedJosh Canham returns to the starting second row alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “opening up a spot for Josh Canham to return to the starting second row, alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.”
- SupportedWilliams has started in the back row six times in Super Rugby but never in a Test.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Williams has started in the back row in Super Rugby six times, for the Waratahs and the Western Force, but never in a Test match.”
- SupportedValetini has started 63 of his 71 Tests.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Of his 71 Tests, Valetini has started in 63 of them”
- SupportedJoe Schmidt benched Valetini twice on last year's spring tour.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Joe Schmidt also shifted the big ballrunner to the bench in two Tests on the spring tour last year.”
- SupportedAngus Bell returns at loosehead prop, and Billy Pollard replaces Josh Nasser at hooker; these are the only other starting changes in the pack.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Angus Bell has returned at loosehead prop and Billy Pollard has replaced Josh Nasser at hooker, in the only other changes in the starting pack.”