James Slipper is poised to become the most-capped Wallaby ever after being named on the bench for Australia’s crunch Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks on Saturday.
The 35-year-old prop, who made his debut 14 years ago, will surpass scrumhalf George Gregan with his 140th cap should he take to the field, as expected, in Sydney.
Slipper will move to outright sixth on the all-time global list behind Wales’s Alun Wyn Jones (171), with Irish great Brian O’Driscoll (141) next in his sights.
Australia are desperate for a win after a stunning Rugby Championship capitulation in Argentina a fortnight ago, where they led 20-3 before collapsing to a demoralising 67-27 defeat.
“The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year,” coach Joe Schmidt said in announcing five changes to the starting XV on Thursday.
“We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”
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Among the changes, misfiring halfbacks Jake Gordon and Ben Donaldson have been dropped and replaced by veteran Nic White and Noah Lolesio.
Centre Hunter Paisami and fullback Tom Wright return from injury, while flanker Fraser McReight is back after recovering from a broken finger.
McReight is the only change to the run-on forward pack with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou in the front row and Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams continuing their partnership as locks.
Blindside flanker Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson join McReight as the loose trio.
On the bench, Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021 after returning from a stint in France, joining Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.
New Zealand have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and have lost just one of their last 12 Tests against Australia, but head into the match on the back of consecutive defeats to the Springboks.
Australia – 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (c),7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell.
Subs: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.
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Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
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