Jorgensen and Suaalii to return for Wallabies against Fiji

Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make returns from lengthy injury breaks in the Wallabies starting side against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, and Harry Wilson is set to retain the captaincy, as coach Joe Schmidt begins to show his hand for the British and Irish Lion series.

As the Lions continue their hectic tour schedule with games in Brisbane and Sydney this week, the Wallabies have been quietly preparing in Newcastle ahead of a clash with the Mick Byrne-coached Fiji.

Schmidt will name his team on Friday but the shape of the side has been slowly revealed by Schmidt’s release of players back to play for Queensland, the Waratahs and the Brumbies against the Lions. Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway and Corey Toole have all returned in the past few days, thus ruling them out of Test duty on Sunday.

The team is set to look very similar to the Wallabies sides from the Spring Tour last year, according to informed sources, with Suaalii returning from a broken jaw to line up at outside centre, alongside Len Ikitau.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii suffered a broken jaw playing for the Waratahs.Credit: Getty Images for Rugby Australia

Jorgensen, who hasn’t played a game in almost 100 days since suffering a syndesmosis injury, is set to start on one wing. He was in outstanding form for the Waratahs before being injured in a hip-drop style tackle against the Hurricanes. Force winger Harry Potter is likely to be rewarded for a strong Super Rugby season with a start on the other wing, ahead of Kellaway and Filipo Daugunu.

Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon is set to sit out the Fiji game, however, due to an ongoing hamstring niggle, meaning Tate McDermott will start in the halves with Noah Lolesio. It is unclear if Gordon’s injury will imperil his chances of making the first Test team on July 19.

The forward pack will maintain consistency from last year, albeit with Dave Porecki set to return in one of the hooker roles, along with Billy Pollard. Matt Faessler is returning from a long-term injury for the Reds against the Lions on Wednesday night, and is set to return to the Wallabies camp after the game.

Jake Gordon and Joe Schmidt talking at a media conference last month.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

The key questions that will be answered on Friday will be whether Will Skelton starts in the second-row or comes from the bench, and whether Zane Nonggorr or Tom Robertson takes the role of back-up tighthead to Allan Alaalatoa. The choice between Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano and Tom Hooper for reserve loose forward will also be interesing.

Despite speculation there could be a change of captain, Wilson is set to keep the role for the Fiji Test, at least.

Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight said on Monday the habit of Schmidt not naming a captain when announcing a squad was not a huge issue.

“I don’t think too many boys are worried, to be honest,” McReight said.

“Obviously, there’s a leadership group, and there’s full of experience in this team. There’s plenty. We’ve got something like six Wallaby captains in this group and so many captains at Super Rugby, so there’s plenty of leadership to lean on.”

Selection to play against Fiji will give players the upper-hand as far as consideration to play against the Lions in the first Test in Brisbane, although the players released have the welcome ability to play against the Lions in a Super Rugby side and storm back in contention - as Dylan Pietsch did in Perth.

Dylan Pietsch of the Force looks to avoid being tackled.Credit: Getty Images

However, the Lions series is not the players’ focus in their Newcastle camp, said McReight.

“It’s just all focused about Fiji. It’s tough to say about the Lions … There are so many moving parts, with Super Rugby clubs needing more (players) and everything going on like that,” he said.

“That’s the coach’s decision. We’re just trying to do our best to stay present and get through each training day. We work hard with each other and push each other really well. So I think that’s the depth of the squad is that we’ve got a lot of competition in every position. It’s got to be quite fierce at times.”

McReight said the Wallabies are aiming to pick up with where they left things on the Spring Tour, and evolve into a stronger side.

“It’s just building on what we finished with last year, and all of last year. Those are the key fundamentals,” he said.

“Hopefully, obviously, now year two under Joe, we can build a stronger base and be a bit more clinical. Same sort of people around the group, so connection’s going to be there. So hopefully, yeah, you can see some more attacking rugby, people more integrated.”

All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.