Langi Gleeson is the likely replacement for Valetini, with Tom Hooper called onto the bench. There has been no squad call-up for Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
In good news, Will Skelton pulled up well after his return from injury in Melbourne, and is set to line up in the starting side in Sydney.
Nic White practices his box kicks in MelbourneCredit: Getty Images
Taniela Tupou is in line for a recall to the Wallabies 23-man side, given Alaalatoa’s absence. Tom Robertson and Zane Nonnggor are the other tighthead props in the squad.
With Schmidt needing to replace winger Harry Potter as well, Dylan Pietsch is set to be called in as a straight replacement, leaving the existing centre combination of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii unchanged.
Schmidt could have also inserted a new No.12, and shifted both Ikitau and Suaalii out a spot, and several commentators have called for the latter to be moved to the wing.
Schmidt will name his team on Thursday.
Have the Wallabies found their long-term No.10 at last?
In the last five years under three different coaches, eight players have started at five-eighth for the Wallabies – each hoping to establish himself as the long-term owner of the gold No.10 jersey.
The latest is Tom Lynagh, the 22-year-old thrown in at the deepest end of international rugby in the first two Tests against the British and Irish Lions. After a pair of assured performances, the Reds star is determined to lay claim to the position but stressed he will be taking nothing for granted.
“Definitely, [I want] more time in that seat, but the jersey’s only yours for the week if you’re selected,” Lynagh said. “Being selected as 10 tells you everything you need to know really [about coach Joe Schmidt]. He’s got trust and belief in you, so that’s all I’ve taken from it. He’s always had that confidence in me ever since I joined the camp for the first time last year.”
Dave Rennie employed the talents of James O’Connor, Noah Lolesio, Reece Hodge, Quade Cooper and Ben Donaldson during his time in charge of the Wallabies between 2020-2023.
Lolesio debuted as a 20-year-old against New Zealand in a 38-point defeat in 2020 in Sydney, and was swiftly dropped the following week for Hodge against the same opponent.
Under Eddie Jones’s ill-fated tenure, Carter Gordon was another young debutant who was given a run of five consecutive starts aged 22 before being dropped after the Fiji defeat in the 2023 World Cup. He never regained the No.10 jersey, eventually deciding to move to the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans.
Unless forced by injury, Schmidt has consistently backed his playmaker, regardless of results. Lolesio started 13 out of 15 games under the New Zealander before a neck injury sustained in a warm-up fixture against Fiji ruled him out of the Lions series.
Lynagh has been nerveless since stepping into the starting role, describing the move as “a seamless transition”. The young playmaker also showed his physical toughness in the second Test against the Lions, finishing with eight tackles and none missed.
Despite kicking 11 points at the MCG on Saturday, including three penalties and a conversion, the young playmaker is disappointed in his goal-kicking against the Lions.
“I think I’ve done alright, [but] I’m a bit disappointed in my goal-kicking so far. I feel like that’s let myself and the team down a bit,” Lynagh said.
Tom Lynagh runs the ball back from a kick at Suncorp Stadium on this starting debut against the British and Irish LionsCredit: Getty Images
“In terms of the rest of it, it’s been good. I’m just playing part of the system and just trying to do my role for the team and not overplay my hand.”
Lynagh has had his family over from England – including his father, former Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, who is on hand for support in the build-up to the third Test in Sydney. Tom Lynagh hopes the much improved performance in Melbourne will provide enough inspiration to push the Wallabies to victory.
“We led for pretty much 79 minutes in the last game and lost it in the 80th,” Lynagh said. “That’s footy for you, but we can take plenty of confidence from that game last week and even the second half in the first Test. We’ve just got to get together and put on a performance on Saturday.”
All nine 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.
