Nic White and James Slipper omitted from Wallabies squad, while injured winger Marika Koroibete will also miss Bledisloe Cup battle

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says half Nic White hasn’t been axed despite the veteran halfback not being picked in Australia’s 23-man squad.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has denied “dumping” Nic White despite the veteran halfback being dropped from Australia’s 23-man squad for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Wellington.

Having started in the No.9 jersey in Australia’s 31-28 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney last Saturday, White can’t even make the bench for this weekend’s return bout.

Jake Gordon, who wasn’t in the squad last weekend, will start at halfback on Saturday, while Tate McDermott will again come off the bench in the role.

In the other change to Australia’s starting team, Dylan Pietsch will replace injured winger Marika Koroibete (wrist).

Schmidt stressed he was “really happy” with White’s performance in the Wallabies’ three-point loss.

“There’s certainly no one dumped,” Schmidt said.

“I explained last week that Nic White had the fresh legs. Jake had a very big tour of Argentina, we had a very long trip back and Nic was fresh and ready to go (in Sydney).

“He was pretty beaten up at the end of it and Jake’s fresh. We’ve got confidence in all three of our halfbacks. It’s very much a best fit for any given occasion.

“Tate’s had a start this season but he’s also been really effective coming off the bench. Sometimes that doesn’t play into your hands for starting when you’ve come off the bench and impacted the game.”

Elsewhere, a week after becoming the most-capped Wallaby of all-time, playing his 140th Test, veteran prop James Slipper has lost his place on the bench.

James Slipper has been left out after breaking the Wallabies’ games record last weekend. Picture: Saeed Khan / AFP

The lack of changes to the starting side means the Wallabies will have the same forward pack in consecutive matches for the first time since last year’s World Cup as Schmidt looks to build on the momentum gained in the final 40 minutes last weekend after falling behind 21-0 after the opening 15 minutes.

“We didn’t help ourselves last weekend falling behind early to a fast-moving, high-tempo All Blacks side,” Schmidt said.

“We know we will need to start better than we did last week, with the physical edge and accuracy required.”

Nick Frost and Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams are the starting locks for the third consecutive Test, while Queensland No.8 Harry Wilson will again captain his country from the back of the scrum.

“Harry’s been really good for us,” Schmidt said.

“He’s played well, he’s led well, not because he says a lot. There’s a strong leadership group, and it means that Harry doesn’t have to say too much.

“He doesn’t necessarily make a lot of the decisions on the field. He’s got his head down, working hard. so there are guys inevitably in behind him making decisions on what’s happening.

“He makes the big decisions from static play, but apart from that, he’s just trying to decide how he’s going to get to the ball next and how he’s going to carry that one or tackle that one.

“His volume of work has been really positive.”

Isaac Kailea returns to the match-day 23 – having been forced out after a concussion in Argentina – as a replacement.

Ben Donaldson has earnt a recall on the bench, replacing fly half Tom Lynagh.

The match will be played at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, where the All Blacks haven’t won in five Tests and six years. That includes a shock 38-30 defeat to Argentina last month and a draw with the Wallabies in 2020.

The Wallabies have not won a Test match in New Zealand for 23 years.

WALLABIES:

1. Angus Bell (32 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2. Matt Faessler (11 Tests) – USQ Saints

3. Taniela Tupou (55 Tests) – Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (20 Tests) – Hornsby Lions

5. Jeremy Williams (7 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers

6. Rob Valetini (47 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

7. Fraser McReight (21 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Harry Wilson (c) (18 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Jake Gordon (26 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors

10. Noah Lolesio (24 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Dylan Pietsch (3 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms

12. Hunter Paisami (30 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

13. Len Ikitau (34 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

14. Andrew Kellaway (34 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (32 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (15 Tests) – Southern Districts

17. Isaac Kailea (5 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

18. Allan Alaalatoa (75 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (36 Tests) - Randwick

20. Langi Gleeson (8 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins

21. Tate McDermott (36 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (12 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

23. Josh Flook (3 Tests) – Brothers Rugby