Joseph Suaalii Cleared for Ireland Match as Wallabies Make Six Team Changes

Australia’s centre, Joseph Suaalii, has been cleared to play against Ireland this Saturday and is included in a lineup featuring six alterations following last weekend’s loss to Scotland. Suaalii previously made his debut for Australia in their victory over England earlier this month. The player, a convert from rugby league, who debuted against England earlier in the month, exited the Murrayfield match prematurely due to concerns about a potential broken wrist. During Thursday’s team announcement, Australia coach Joe Schmidt stated, “Joe’s fine, he got one of those stingers where he had a bit of a dead arm.” Schmidt further explained, “We felt it was better to get it properly assessed and we couldn’t hold the game up to do that so we took him out of the game against Scotland.” The Wallabies’ coach, Joe Schmidt, who previously led Ireland between 2013 and 2019, has implemented five adjustments to the forward pack, bringing back props James Slipper and Taniela Tupou. Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will form the second-row partnership, with Williams having recovered from the illness that prevented his participation in the Scotland Test. Ireland has selected Prendergast ahead of Crowley for the match against Australia. Queensland’s Fraser McReight has been brought into the back row, joining captain Harry Wilson and flanker Rob Valetini, who are the sole forwards retained from the previous week’s starting lineup. Props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa, along with lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, have been moved to the bench after starting against Scotland. Will Skelton and Carlo Tizzano, who were part of the starting fifteen last weekend, are not included in the current match-day squad. The starting backline features a single alteration from last weekend, with Max Jorgensen taking the wing position instead of Harry Potter, who debuted in Edinburgh and will now be among the reserves in Dublin. Waratahs fly-half Tane Edmed is poised to earn his inaugural cap, having been selected among the replacements. The Australian team lineup is as follows: Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou; Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight; Harry Wilson (captain). Replacements include: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tane Edmed, Harry Potter.