Key selection calls facing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and his assistants ahead of Lions’ tour
As the Lions’ series fast approaches, the first Wallabies squad of 2025 will be pivotal, and the hopes for a number of veterans could be extinguished with this selection call.
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With the first Wallabies squad of 2025 to be picked on Thursday, a number of contentious calls will be made, some with potentially Test career-ending ramifications.
James O’Connor, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are in the mix, but if they’re not named in Australia’s 40-man squad for Fiji, it’s unlikely they’ll be considered for any future internationals.
Then there are decisions to be made around players facing injury battles.
These are the key selection calls facing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and his assistants.
PLAYMAKERS
Funnily enough, there are two Australians playing in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific grand final.
O’Connor will come off the bench for the Crusaders, and has wide backing to return to the Wallabies fold, with former teammate Quade Cooper strongly advocating for his inclusion last week.
O’Connor can play five-eighth, inside centre or fullback, and such versatility is lacking in many of Australia’s backs.
But has he done enough to break into a squad that is likely to feature five-eighths Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh, centres Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, and fullback options Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway and Max Jorgensen?
The beauty of a 40-man squad is that you can name more than you would for a touring squad, which is usually set at a maximum of 36 players.
It would be an awkward scenario if O’Connor is overlooked on Thursday, and then holding up the Super Rugby trophy on Saturday – a feat no Aussie has done for 11 years.
On the other side of the field will be loosehead prop Aidan Ross, who will qualify for the Wallabies on July 10 when his three-year stand down period expires, having played one Test for the All Blacks in 2022. More on him later.
Selectors could bring in O’Connor for his versatility and experience, or stick with the three that have been part of their squad for the majority of the past two years, and potentially call in Tane Edmed for additional playmaking back-up.
MIDFIELD
Kerevi caused a stir when he turned up to Ballymore to train this week, leading to speculation he is going to be recalled.
But while he remains a chance, he wasn’t training with the Wallabies hub. He was doing individual training at the Ballymore gym.
Kerevi provides size and power that certainly could give the British & Irish Lions headaches, but his game-time and form in Japan this year has been inconsistent enough that he is no guarantee.
Paisami, Ikitau and Suaalii are sure things, but the fourth midfield option will be intriguing. Josh Flook has been used there, Filipo Daugunu is primarily a winger who can play outside centre, as is Kellaway.
An out-of-the-box option could be Queensland youngster Dre Pakeho, who performed will for the Reds this season and is only 20. The Lions series could be used to prepare him for the 2027 World Cup.
FRONT ROW
Ross won’t be named in Thursday’s squad because he’s not yet eligible, but he is certainly in the mix for the Lions squad that will be announced on July 11, a day after the Aussie-born prop qualifies.
The loose-head has been excellent for the Chiefs, and his scrummaging could be handy against a monster Lions pack.
Angus Bell and James Slipper are certainties for the squad, but a third loose-head spot is likely to come down to Ross and Tom Robertson. Crucially, Robertson can play on both sides of the scrum.
Hooker is another uncertain position, with last year’s regular Wallabies starter Matt Faessler rehabbing from a hamstring injury.
Faessler has missed a lot of football this year, and is unlikely to be fit for the Fiji clash.
But Australia is not bursting with world-class hookers so he is sure to feature heavily in Lions discussions.
If Faessler is not fit for Fiji, NSW’s Dave Porecki and the Brumbies’ Billy Pollard look set to battle for the No. 2 jersey, while Brandon Paenga-Amosa is the other contender.
BACKROW
This is one of the problems coaches like to have; too many great options.
Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight pick themselves to start in the backrow, but the configuration and those on the bench could go any number of ways.
Harry Wilson is the incumbent captain and if the plan from the spring tour is retained, he starts at No. 8 alongside the other two.
However, if he is not in the starting team, numerous other contenders loom.
Schmidt could opt to swap Wilson for Langi Gleeson, but that weakens their lineout.
Or he could put Valetini back to No. 8 and use the brilliant Tom Hooper at blindside flanker, adding physicality and lineout jumping capability.
On the bench, the skilful and versatile Seru Uru – who has overcome injury – can cover lock, six and eight, while returning Wallabies stalwart Pete Samu adds starch to the backrow.
With lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also returning successfully from injury last weekend in Queensland club rugby, locks are plentiful.
Will Skelton, Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost are set to battle with Salakaia-Loto for spots, and whoever is on the bench will determine how selectors will then shape backrow cover.
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Originally published as Key selection calls facing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and his assistants ahead of Lions’ tour
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