Former Wallabies captain Dave Porecki will make his long-awaited return for the Waratahs, while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will be unleashed for his new side after Dan McKellar named him a full-strength side to take on his former Super Rugby team, the Brumbies, in their second trial of the year in Bowral on Saturday afternoon.
But unlike last year’s Spring Tour where Suaalii played in the midfield, the cross-coder, who was signed on a multi-year million-dollar deal, will move to fullback in a star-studded Waratahs backline that has six internationals in it.
Suaalii will form an electric back three alongside Max Jorgensen and Andrew Kellaway, while captain Jake Gordon partners Tane Edmed in the halves.
The other two spots in the backline see Joey Walton shift to inside centre, with discarded Wallaby Lalakai Foketi partnering him in the midfield.
Dan McKellar has named his big-name Wallabies, including Jake Gordon (L) and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, for his side’s trial against the Brumbies in Bowral. Photo: Waratahs Media
There’s several big names in the forward pack too, with Porecki, who captained the Wallabies in three of their four World Cup fixtures at the 2023 tournament in France, set to play his first minutes in a year.
The 32-year-old hooker, who was plagued by Achilles issues last year, joins Angus Bell in the front-row, while Daniel Botha starts at tight-head prop.
Fresh from a breakout year with the Hurricanes, Australian-born lock Ben Grant partners Miles Amatosero in the second-row.
Rob Leota, who missed last year’s Test season because of hamstring issues, joins Charlie Gamble and Langi Gleeson in the back-row.
There’s plenty of quality on the bench too, with Rebels duo, including million-dollar prop Taniela Tupou, included alongside Isaac Kailea.
Former England sevens star Jamie Adamson is a new face on the bench, with Lawson Creighton, Henry O’Donnell and Darby Lancaster also included.
Dave Porecki will play his first match in a year for the Waratahs. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Despite naming a rock star side to take on the Brumbies, McKellar, who is in his first season with the franchise after joining from Leicester, said the match represented a good chance to see some of his players in a match environment.
“I think all the trial games we’re just sharing the workload,” McKellar told reporters on Tuesday.
“This team this weekend certainly isn’t a foregone conclusion to be the Round 1 team. Guys that have been away need to come back and get some game time on board.
“It’s a new coaching group, a new group of players. We’ve got to start to build some cohesion.
“In terms of selection, it’ll be what’s best for the team. That’s what it’ll come down to. Not necessarily just the best 15 players. It’s what’s the best make-up for us to function and perform well as a group.”
As for Suaalii, McKellar said the 21-year-old would start at fullback but added that he was likely to spend time in multiple positions throughout the season.
“He’s trained on the wing, he’s done some training at 13, he’s done some training at 15 at the moment,” McKellar said.
“He wants to learn all positions and we’re learning where we can get him into the game most and best and what position suits that.
“I think with how we’ll play, the number on your back is just that, to be honest. You’ve got to be multi-skilled with how we’ll attack. I’m just sort of testing him in a few different areas at the moment.”
Meanwhile, McKellar’s former boss Stephen Larkham has opted to keep some of his best talent wrapped in cotton wool.
Indeed, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright will all be on the waters in what shapes as a marathon season for the Wallabies regulars.
But there’s still plenty of talent in the Brumbies side, with Wallabies Blake Schoupp, Cadeyrn Neville and Luke Reimer included.
For Schoupp and Lachlan Lonergan, the match represents another chance to get some minutes under their belts after their seasons were devastated by injury.
World Cup Wallaby Blake Schoupp will start for the Brumbies against the Waratahs. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Declan Meredith gets a chance to spend some time in the middle at flyhalf, while Jack Debreczeni is also on the bench.
Wallabies squad member David Feliuai will also play his first match for the Brumbies after moving up from Melbourne.
“We’re really looking forward to this weekend’s fixture against the Waratahs and to get going in 2025,” Larkham said.
“It’s been a long and hard pre-season for us, but the boys have applied themselves well throughout. To finally have a match on the horizon is exciting and to add to the sense of occasion, it’s against our oldest and biggest rivals.
“This is the Waratahs final match ahead of the new season, so we know they will have a strong side out. Even though it is a Trial, and we’ll be trying different combinations on the field, we are treating it as an important game. We feel as though we have prepared as thoroughly as possible.”
Waratahs (1-15): Angus Bell, David Porecki, Daniel Botha, Ben Grant, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Reserves: Julian Heavan, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Felix Kalapu, Hugh Sinclair, Leafi Talataina, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Lawson Creighton, Henry O’Donnell, Triston Reilly, Darby Lancaster
Brumbies (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Liam Bowron, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tuaina Taii-Tualima, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ben O’Donnell, David Feliuai, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Reserves: Lington Ieli, Billy Pollard, Lachlan Lonergan, Timma Fainga’anuku, Rhys van Nek, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Hooper, Jake Condon, Judah Saumaisue, Klayton Thorn, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Austin Anderson, Kadin Pritchard, Shane Wilcox
