Wallabies drop Joseph--Aukuso Suaalii to the bench for Test against Wales

The Wallabies have made mass changes following their win over England, coach Joe Schmidt explains why he has dropped a number of big names including Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of Australia looks on during the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between England and Australia. Picture: Getty Images

JOSEPH-Aukuso Suaalii has been dropped to the Wallabies bench for the clash against Wales after his starring debut last weekend in England.

Australia’s coach Joe Schmidt has opted to start Samu Kerevi at inside centre, and shift Len Ikitau back to outside centre, in a shock decision.

Suaalii earned man-of-the-match honours at Twickenham in Australia’s 42-37 win, but will now be a benchwarmer in Cardiff against a desperate Wales team trying to overturn a 10-game losing streak.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was man-of-the-match in his Test debut. Picture: Getty Images

“It was a whirlwind for Joseph the last two weeks,” Schmidt said.

“So for him to just be able to take a breath and watch a bit and then enter the game, I think he’s got a great opportunity to change it up a bit for us.

“Joseph stepping out and Samu stepping in is an opportunity for us to get Samu involved in the game,” said Schmidt, who drafted Kerevi in from Japanese club rugby for this tour.

“Samu comes in for his 50th cap so he’s a really experienced, combative player, experienced player and Lenny Ikitau, he’s played a lot of 13 for us, 12 is a less known position for him so him moving back out to 13 is pretty easy for him to do.”

Samu Kerevi will gain his 50th Test cap in the match. Picture: Getty Images

Suaalii won three key kick-offs for Australia against England, while lock Jeremy Williams was solid in retrieving England’s kick-offs and he’s been left out of the 23-man squad altogether, with Will Skelton starting in the second row and Seru Uru at blindside flanker.

Suaalii will be cover in the midfield or in back three positions depending on injuries and strategy.

Skipper Harry Wilson has been sidelined with concussion, forcing a backrow reshuffle that sees Rob Valetini return to No.8 in his 50th Test match.

Prop Taniela Tupou, halfback Jake Gordon and winger Dylan Pietch are also out injured, replaced by Allan Alaalatoa – who will captain the side – Nic White and Max Jorgensen respectively.

“I’m concerned and I’m confident that the guys coming in, I know will be fully committed to doing the job and connecting with the guys who did the job last week,” Schmidt said.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. Picture: Getty Images

“I think to be able to strengthen the squad you need everyone to be involved at some stage and I’ve no doubt we’ll make more changes going into Scotland and then Ireland on the back of a six-day turnaround, so for all those changes to happen it’s probably not ideal, we wouldn’t have planned it that way, but I think the boys trained well this week, they trained well Wednesday and today so as an indicator of what will hopefully be a positive performance on Sunday, that’s a good start.”

WALES vs WALLABIES

Cardiff

Monday, 3.10am (AEDT)

Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (c) 1 Gareth Thomas

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Eddie James.

Australia: 15⁠ ⁠Tom Wright, 14⁠ ⁠Andrew Kellaway, 13⁠ ⁠ Len Ikitau, 12⁠ ⁠ Samu Kerevi, 11⁠ Max Jorgensen, 10⁠ ⁠Noah Lolesio, 9⁠ ⁠Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7⁠ ⁠Fraser McReight, 6⁠ ⁠Seru Uru, 5⁠ ⁠Will Skelton, 4⁠ ⁠Nick Frost, 3⁠ ⁠Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2⁠ ⁠Matt Faessler, 1⁠ ⁠Angus Bell

Replacements: 16⁠ ⁠Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17⁠ ⁠James Slipper, 18⁠ ⁠Zane Nonggorr, 19⁠ ⁠Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20⁠ ⁠Langi Gleeson, 21⁠ ⁠Tate McDermott, 22⁠ ⁠Ben Donaldson, 23⁠ Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Originally published as Wallabies drop Joseph--Aukuso Suaalii to the bench for Test against Wales