Wallabies to recall Nic White, Taniela Tupou in third Test against British and Irish Lions

A familiar face is set to return to the Wallabies side in what could be his final game – and that’s just one of a host of changes set to be made by Joe Schmidt for the final Lions Test.

Halfback Nic White is set to start the third and final Test against the British Lions, while outcast prop Taniela Tupou is likely to return in a revamped Wallabies side.

It’s understood star backrower Rob Valetini will be ruled out with injury, having tweaked his troublesome calf in game two in Melbourne last Saturday, and will be replaced by Tom Hooper.

White’s elevation is a surprise, given he hasn’t featured in the previous two Tests and Jake Gordon has done a commendable job at the base of the ruck.

With heavy rain forecast for the match at Accor Stadium and a kick-heavy game predicted, White’s box-kicking is set to be a major factor.

There is strong speculation that the veteran scrumhalf White, who has played 72 Tests for the Wallabies, will retire from the game after this match.

Sources in Perth have said the Western Force have begun preparing for life without White in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season despite being contracted, so the 35-year-old could be playing his final match in his home state.

Nic White will be recalled by the Wallabies for the third Lions Test. Picture: Getty

Gordon has carried a heavy load so far – forced to play through 80 minutes last weekend – and is expected to miss out on the 23-man squad to be announced on Thursday, with Tate McDermott remaining on the bench as cover.

With Allan Alaalatoa set to potentially miss the rest of the year with a serious shoulder injury, Tom Robertson and Tupou become the natural replacements.

Tupou has not played a Test so far this year.

Having had mixed form throughout the Super Rugby season for NSW, the France-bound front rower was highly impressive when taking on the Lions for the First Nations & Pasifika team in Melbourne last week.

His weight at the scrum will help the Wallabies, who were overpowered by the Lions pack last week when Alaalatoa and James Slipper went off at halftime.

Dylan Pietsch is expected to replace injured winger Harry Potter in the only change to the starting backline, with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt set to retain the midfield pairing of Len Ikitau and Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii despite defensive struggles at the MCG.

Dylan Pietsch is also expected to join Australia’s starting backline. Picture: Getty

Matt Faessler is set to return to the bench to back-up hooker Dave Porecki, while the man at the centre of all the news this week due to the late penalty drama in last weekend’s Test – Carlo Tizzano – is set to miss selection as the Wallabies revert to a 5-3 split and recall Andrew Kellaway.

There are suggestions that Lions coach Andy Farrell will recall Aussie-born Sione Tuipulotu for the final match in the centres, while starting Tizzano’s nemesis Jac Morgan at No.7 to give workhorse Tom Curry a rest.

The Lions are determined to win the series 3-0, becoming the first touring team to do so since 1904.

“We want to be part of something very special,” Lions captain Maro Itoje said.

“Winning a Lions Test series is obviously extremely special but what would be an absolute dream would be to go out there and perform to the level that we think we can perform and win the third game.

“While the first two games have been great because we got two wins, there’s a still a feeling that we haven’t put it together in a way we know that we can.

“That’s the exciting for us – we want to chase down the performance we have been searching for.”

Originally published as Wallabies to recall Nic White, Taniela Tupou in third Test against British and Irish Lions