Valetini, Gordon return to starting side for Scotland Test in Edinburgh

Fri, Nov 13, 2026, 2:00 PM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
Rob Valetini will start at blindside flanker on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Getty Images
Rob Valetini will start at blindside flanker on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Getty Images

Two-time John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini has been named to start at blindside flanker for the Wallabies against Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon local time.

Valetini returns to the run on side to form a familiar starting loose forward trio alongside Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium.

He’s one of three new inclusions in the XV with flyhalf Carter Gordon returning from a fractured fibula to partner Ryan Lonergan in the halves, while winger Harry Potter returns to the venue of his Test debut – named on the wing, creating a back three alongside Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shifts back to the midfield to replace the injured Isaac Henry, partnering with Len Ikitau for the 18th time at Test level.

Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams shifts back to the second row to combine with Josh Canham as the lock pairing, while the run on front row remains unchanged with Angus Bell, Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa selected by the Wallabies coaches.

Alaalatoa inching closer to becoming the 14th Wallabies centurion, running on for what will be his 98th appearance in the gold jersey.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa is one of three fresh faces on the pine, named as the replacement hooker to form a substitute front row with Isaac Kailea and Taniela Tupou.

ACT Brumby Lachlan Shaw will play his first Test in Europe as the lock cover, while Tom Hooper returns to the matchday 23 after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The replacement backs remain unchanged with the experienced halves pairing of Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson selected, as is Filipo Daugunu who rounds out the team.

The Wallabies currently sit third on the Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere ladder.

Wallabies Head Coach Les Kiss said: "We’ve had a good week of training but after falling short of our own expectations last week it’s vital we transfer our hard work onto the field for the 80 minutes on Sunday.

“Playing Scotland on their home turf is a massive Test and we're all determined to make our supporters proud by elevating our game to the level it needs to be."

Wallabies team to play Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Monday November 16 at 2:10am AEDT
  1. Angus Bell (61 Tests) - #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
  2. Billy Pollard (27 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
  3. Allan Alaalatoa (97 Tests) #896; West Harbour Juniors
  4. Josh Canham (10 Tests) - #987; Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
  5. Jeremy Williams (36 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
  6. Rob Valetini (72 Tests) - #929; Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
  7. Fraser McReight (50 Tests) - #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
  8. Harry Wilson (c) (46 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
  9. Ryan Lonergan (16 Tests) - #993; Tuggeranong Vikings
  10. Carter Gordon (13 Tests) - #967; Sunshine Coast Grammar School
  11. Harry Potter (18 Tests) - #989; Moorabbin Rams
  12. Len Ikitau (57 Tests) - #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
  13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (28 Tests) - #988; The Kings School
  14. Max Jorgensen (31 Tests) - #984; Balmain Wolves
  15. Tom Wright (54 Tests) - #939; Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (32 Tests) - #918; Southern Districts

17. Isaac Kailea (10 Tests) - #975; Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

18. Taniela Tupou (75 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby

19. Lachlan Shaw (6 Tests) - #996; University of Queensland

20. Tom Hooper (25 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs

21. Tate McDermott (58 Tests) - #936; Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (28 Tests) - #962; Clovelly Eagles

23. Filipo Daugunu (26 Tests) - #931; Wests Bulldogs

2026 Wallabies Fixtures
July Nations Championship Test

Wallabies 31 defeated by Ireland 33 on Saturday July 4 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies 26 defeated by France 42 on Saturday July 11 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies 57 defeated Italy 10 on Saturday July 18 at HBF Park, Perth

Flight Centre Series/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies 35 defeated Japan 32 on Saturday August 8 at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka

Wallabies 56 defeated Japan 17 on Saturday August 15 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Wallabies 27 defeated Argentina 21 on Saturday August 29 at Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy

Wallabies 28 drew with Argentina 28 on Saturday September 5 at Estádio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza

Wallabies 42 defeated South Africa 38 on Sunday September 27 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies 19 defeated by New Zealand 50 on Saturday October 10 at Eden Park, Auckland

Wallabies 21 defeated by New Zealand 43 on Saturday October 17 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

November Nations Championship Tests

Wallabies 22 defeated by England 45 on Sunday November 8 at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London

Wallabies vs Scotland, 2:10am AEDT on Monday November 16 at Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Wallabies vs Wales, 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 22, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Nations Championships Finals Weekend, Weekend starting November 27

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