San Francisco Frontiers - Slipper to captain Australia against Wales after Wright ruled out

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Slipper to captain Australia against Wales after Wright ruled out

SPORTS 11.07.2024

Slipper to captain Australia against Wales after Wright ruled out / Photo: © AFP

Veteran prop James Slipper will captain Australia in the second Test against Wales after newly-appointed skipper Liam Wright was Thursday ruled out with an injury.

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Wright was coach Joe Schmidt's surprise choice as his first captain and the Queensland Reds flanker steered the Wallabies to a gutsy 25-16 win over the Welsh in Sydney last weekend.

But the 26-year-old hurt his right shoulder in the second half and left the field.

The man who replaced him, Charlie Cale, has been elevated for a starting debut at No.8 with Rob Valetini pushed to blindside flanker.

It is the lone change to the starting side, although there are several new faces on the bench with Reds' hooker Josh Nasser, the son of former Wallaby Brendan Nasser, in line for a potential debut.

"We found out a bit about ourselves last week and are looking forward to learning a bit more on Saturday night," said Schmidt, who took over from Eddie Jones this year.

"We've worked hard again this week in Melbourne and will be going out to earn the support of those in the stands and those at home on Saturday night."

Slipper, who will be playing his 136th Test and has captained the side 14 times previously, is part of an unchanged front row that includes hooker Matt Faessler and tighthead Taniela Tupou.

Cale will combine with Fraser McReight and Valetini in the back row, with the second row of Jeremy Williams and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto retained.

An unchanged backline sees Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio as the halves alongside Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook in the midfield.

Tom Wright, who scored a sensational solo try in the first Test, again starts at full-back with Andrew Kellaway and Filipo Daugunu on the wings.

Australia (15-1):

Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Charlie Cale, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams; Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, James Slipper (capt)

Replacements: Josh Nasser, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Langi Gleeson, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch

R.Moore--SFF

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