Allan Alaalatoa will captain the Wallabies against Georgia with former All Black Alex Hodgman named on the bench

For the third time in three games the Wallabies will have a new captain and a one-time rival has swapped his All Blacks jersey for a gold one.

Joe Schmidt has named a third captain in as many games. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Wallabies will have a third captain in three games under new coach Joe Schmidt, with Liam Wright failing to recover in time for Saturday’s clash with Georgia.

Allan Alaalatoa will take over from James Slipper, who replaced Wright after he suffered a shoulder injury. Winger Darby Lancaster, 21, is set make his Wallabies debut as Schmidt continues to throw the magnets around early in his tenure.

Former All Black prop Alex Hodgman has also been named on the bench and will become just the fourth person in history to play Tests for both New Zealand and Australia.

Your matchday 23 for Sydney this Saturday 👊

🆚 Georgia
📅 Saturday 20 July 3:45pm AEST
🏟️ Allianz Stadium
🎟️ https://t.co/GFVYfWlxT0
📺 @StanSportAU & Nine#Wallabiespic.twitter.com/JgEHlhDUr8

— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 18, 2024

Queensland Reds back-rower Harry Wilson will play his first Test since 2022, named to start at No.8, while front-rowers Isaac Kailea and Billy Pollard, with just four Tests between them, will both earn their first starts for the Wallabies, having played as reserves against Wales.

Back-rower Angus Blyth is also set for a run-on debut, giving Schmidt’s starting pack a new look, while Nick Frost will play his first game for the Wallabies in 2024.

Schmidt has also confirmed a new halves pairing. Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson will combine in the halves, the latter playing just his second Test on home soil and his first in his home city.

Ben Donaldson starred against Georgia at the Rugby World Cup. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Georgia is coming off an upset win over Japan, coached by former Wallabies mentor Eddie Jones, and Schmidt said they loomed as a significant challenge for his team that won back-to-back clashes against Wales.

“Georgia have proven to be a very tough team to play as demonstrated by their wins against Italy and Wales in recent years as well as their victory last week in Japan,” he said.

“They have added some very exciting backs to their traditional forward strength and challenge opponents across the park.”

Donaldson scored 25 points against Georgia at last year’s World Cup in France, playing as fullback, and now gets his chance in the key playmaking role, replacing Noah Lolesio, who will come off the bench.

Winger Lancaster makes his way to the Wallabies starting line-up having established himself via the Rugby Sevens team and was impressive for the Junior Wallabies in last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship.

WALLABIES V GEORGIA

Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 3:45pm Saturday, July 20

1. Isaac Kailea

2. Billy Pollard

3. Allan Alaalatoa (c)

4. Nick Frost

5. Angus Blyth

6. Rob Valetini

7. Fraser McReight

8. Harry Wilson

9. Tate McDermott

10. Ben Donaldson

11. Darby Lancaster*

12. Hunter Paisami

13. Len Ikitau

14. Filipo Daugunu

15. Tom Wright

Substitutes

16. Josh Nasser

17. Alex Hodgman

18. Zane Nonggorr

19. Tom Hooper

20. Jeremy Williams

21. Nic White

22. Noah Lolesio

23. Andrew Kellaway

Originally published as Allan Alaalatoa will captain the Wallabies against Georgia with former All Black Alex Hodgman named on the bench