Pietsch, Tupou to start for Wallabies in final British & Irish Lions Test

Thu, Jul 31, 2025, 4:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made several changes for the third and final Test against the British & Irish Lions.

Western Force duo Nic White and Dylan Pietsch have been added to the starting side alongside ACT Brumbies flanker Tom Hooper for Saturday's match at Accor Stadium.

Watch the Wallabies take on the British & Irish Lions live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

It will be White’s final game in the gold jersey, recently announcing his retirement from international Rugby.

White will partner Tom Lynagh in the halves, who will start in all three Tests after making his starting debut earlier in the series.

Meanwhile, Pietsch fills the void left by fellow Force winger Harry Potter, who suffered a hamstring injury in the second Test defeat.

For Pietsch, it’s a fitting rise for the proud Wiradjuri man who designed the Wallabies jersey before making his Test debut.

It’s a similar story for Hooper, replacing club teammate Rob Valetini after the powerful back-rower pulled up sore from last week.

Meanwhile, Taniela Tupou will start for the first time in 2025 after Allan Alaalatoa’s shoulder injury.

Alaalatoa was ruled out for the rest of the series earlier in the week, departing at half-time at the MCG, while Tupou’s rise continues after impressing for First Nations Pasifika.

He partners James Slipper and Dave Porecki, with Slipper set for his 147th appearance in the gold jersey, which would put him one behind All Blacks great Richie McCaw on the all-time appearance list.

In further changes, Zane Nonggorr comes onto the bench for his first appearance in the Lions tour.

Nonggorr was one of the few Wallabies not released for the tour games, set to finish the game alongside Billy Pollard and Angus Bell.

Schmidt has also reverted back to a 5-3 bench split, with Andrew Kellaway added to the 23.

“The squad was certainly deflated after the gut-wrenching end to last week’s Test in Melbourne, but they have started to gather momentum in the back half of the week and will be ready to go again on Saturday,” Schmidt said.

“The support in Brisbane and Melbourne helped to lift the squad, and I know the support this weekend in Accor Stadium, will again help to lift the players in the high-pressure moments that we know are coming."

Wallabies team to play British & Irish Lions at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday August 2 at 7:45pm AEST

1. James Slipper (146 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates

2. David Porecki (21 Tests) - #952; Seaforth Raiders

3. Taniela Tupou (58 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (28 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions

5. Will Skelton (33 Tests) - #883; The Hills Sports High School

6. Tom Hooper (12 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs

7. Fraser McReight (28 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Harry Wilson (c) (25 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Nic White (72 Tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks

10. Tom Lynagh (5 Tests) - #977; University of Queensland

11. Dylan Pietsch (5 Tests) - #978, Leeton Phantoms

12. Len Ikitau (42 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (7 Tests) – #988; The Kings School

14. Max Jorgensen (10 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves

15. Tom Wright (40 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Billy Pollard (9 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club

17. Angus Bell (39 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club

18. Zane Nonggorr (11 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles

19. Jeremy Williams (13 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers

20. Langi Gleeson (16 Tests) - #960; Harbord Harlequins

21. Tate McDermott (44 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (18 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles

23. Andrew Kellaway (40 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club

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