Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been boosted by a trio of returning stars as he names his team for Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup match in Perth.
Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Jake Gordon have all been named to play in the final match of the Rugby Championship.
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Valetini has been in and out of the squad due to a calf injury, and is set to come off the bench as Tom Hooper retains his position in the starting side.
Meanwhile, Skelton returns after briefly heading back to French club side La Rochelle.
The towering lock featured in the South Africa leg of the competition, but missed the last three games.
He reunites with his regular lock partner Nick Frost, pushing Jeremy Williams back to the bench.
As for the backline, Gordon headlines a trio of changes in his first game back since the British & Irish Lions tour.
Gordon will link up with outgoing Waratahs team-mate Tane Edmed in the halves, with James O’Connor set to finish the game.
The other change sees Filipo Daugunu elevated into the starting side on the wing after strong stints from the bench.
On the bench, Josh Nasser, Tom Robertson and Josh Flook are the new faces, with Flook set for his first Test of the season.
While the Bledisloe Cup will stay in New Zealand, the Wallabies have plenty of motivation after prop James Slipper announced his retirement.
Slipper will start the game in the front row in the Brumbies’ 151st and final Test match alongside club teammates Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa.
It’s a fitting full-circle moment for Slipper, who debuted in Perth against England over a decade ago.
“The squad has dusted themselves off from the disappointment in Auckland and they’ve worked away this week, in preparation for what’s going to be another torrid Test match against New Zealand on Saturday," Schmidt said.
“The support has been fantastic this year, especially when playing in Australia, and we’ll be hoping to put in a performance that is worthy of that support in our final home Test of 2025.”
1. James Slipper (150 Tests) - #843; Bond Pirates
2. Billy Pollard (15 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Allan Alaalatoa (84 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
4. Nick Frost (33 Tests) - #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Will Skelton (36 Tests) - #883; Hills Sports High School
6. Tom Hooper (18 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
7. Fraser McReight (34 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (30 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (31 Tests) - #925; Canterbury Juniors
10. Tane Edmed (3 Tests) - #990; West Harbour Juniors
11. Filipo Daugunu (14 Tests) - #931, Wests Bulldogs
12. Len Ikitau (47 Tests) - #944, Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (13 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Harry Potter (6 Tests) - #989, Moorabbin Rams
15. Max Jorgensen (16 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
Substitutes
16. Josh Nasser (7 Tests) - #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane)
17. Tom Robertson (35 Tests) - #898; Dubbo Kangaroos
18. Taniela Tupou (64 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
19. Jeremy Williams (19 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Rob Valetini (56 Tests) - #929; Harlequin Rugby Club
21. Ryan Lonergan (1 Test) - #933; Tuggeranong Vikings
22. James O’Connor (69 Tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
23. Josh Flook (4 Tests) - #972, Brothers Rugby
