Schmidt rolls the dice in final match
Outgoing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is making bold selection calls for Saturday night's Nations Championship Test against Italy in Perth, opting to retain debutant flyhalf Declan Meredith and dropping star openside Fraser McReight to the bench. The Wallabies are desperate to end a six-game losing streak against the world No. 10 Italians.
Meredith, who made his Wallabies debut last week against France after injuries to Ben Donaldson and Carter Gordon, will again start at No. 10 despite Donaldson proving his fitness. Donaldson will provide cover from the bench, while fullback Jock Campbell, who served as reserve flyhalf last week, has been omitted from the matchday squad entirely.
McReight benched despite try-scoring heroics
Fraser McReight scored two first-half tries against France but has been relegated to the bench in favor of Western Force star Carlo Tizzano, who will start at openside flanker in front of his home fans at HBF Park. Tizzano is making his first Test appearance of 2026.
Schmidt has overseen nine losses from the past 10 matches, dropping his overall record to 11 wins from 30 Tests. A defeat on Saturday would give him the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era. The team is vowing to send off Schmidt and assistant coach Laurie Fisher on a high.
Italy also winless; Cannone banned
Italy have lost both their Nations Championship matches so far, falling 27-10 to Japan and 47-17 to New Zealand. They will be without star second rower Niccolo Cannone, who received a four-match ban for headbutting.
Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero is in line to make his Wallabies debut after being named on the bench. He was suspended earlier this year for fracturing the face of his Waratahs teammate Angus Scott-Young during a training ground fight. Harry Potter replaces the injured Dylan Pietsch (calf) on the wing.
Wallabies team to face Italy
Australia: Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan, Harry Wilson (captain), Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell. Reserves: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Miles Amatosero, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu.
