Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has unveiled a 36-player squad for the British & Irish Lions series, with the big inclusion being the return of James O’Connor.
The former Reds, Force and Rebels playmaker has been named for his first squad since the 2022 Rugby Championship, last playing against Argentina.
Final tickets still available! Get your tickets for the British & Irish Lions tour here
O’Connor rocketed back into contention after a strong season as a finisher for the Crusaders, who went on to claim the Super Rugby Pacific title.
The playmaker was the starting flyhalf for the Wallabies in the last Lions series in 2013, with the 35-year-old out to add to his 64 caps.
It comes after injury to Noah Lolesio, which has ruled him out of the series.
O’Connor and prop James Slipper will look to join an elusive list of players to play for Australia in two successive British & Irish Lions series.
Slipper (144 caps) will inch closer to becoming the first Australian player to play 150 Test matches after coming off the bench in all three Tests in 2013.
There is also a recall to lock Josh Canham as the only other change to the Fiji squad, who debuted in the Rugby Championship last year.
The second-row impressed with the Queensland Reds during their loss to the Lions, looking to add to his maiden cap.
Brumbies winger Corey Toole and Western Force backrower Nick Champion de Crespigny are the only two uncapped players named in the squad, retaining their spots from Fiji.
Forwards duo Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, along with Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh and Waratahs scrumhalf Jake Gordon, have been named despite missing last week’s Test due to injury.
An appearance from Lynagh would make him the first father-son duo to play against the Lions for Australia, with father Michael featuring in 1989.
“As Wallabies coaches, we have tried to balance continuity with form and freshness, but there were some very tight calls,” Schmidt said.
“We’re conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so for those selected in the squad, they’ll be competing for Test jerseys, while also trying to help others prepare.
“We need to improve our accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first Test here in eight days.
“We are excited by what’s to come.”
The side will remain in Brisbane ahead of the series opener at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday night.
Forwards (20)
Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies, 81)
Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 36)
Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 1)
Nick Champion De Crespigny (uncapped, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 0)
Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints, Queensland Reds, 14)
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 26)
Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbord Harlequins, NSW Waratahs, 15)
Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs, ACT Brumbies, 11)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 26)
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 11)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 7)
David Porecki (#952, Seaforth Raiders, NSW Waratahs, 20)
Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 31)
Will Skelton (#883, The Hills Sports High School, Stade Rochelais (France), 32)
James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates, ACT Brumbies, 144)
Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 6)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), NSW Waratahs, 58)
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 52)
Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 11)
Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 23)
Backs (16)
Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Rugby Club (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 12)
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles, Western Force, 17)
Jake Gordon (#925, Canterbury Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 40)
Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 8)
Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 39)
Tom Lynagh (#977, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds, 3)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 42)
James O’Connor (#832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee, Crusaders (New Zealand), 64)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 31)
Dylan Pietsch (#978, Leeton Phantoms, Western Force, 5)
Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, Western Force, 3)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 5)
Corey Toole (uncapped, Wagga Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, 0)
Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks, Western Force, 72)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles, ACT Brumbies, 38)
Unavailable for selection due to injury
Charlie Cale
Massimo De Lutiis
Noah Lolesio
Liam Wright
