MEDIA RELEASE: ACT Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith will become Wallaby No.997 on Saturday, selected to start at flyhalf against France in Brisbane as part of the Nations Championship.
The North Queensland junior will partner club teammate Ryan Lonergan in the halves, replacing Carter Gordon, who has suffered a calf strain, while last week’s substitute Ben Donaldson has also been ruled out through injury.
Meredith is one of only two changes to the starting XV that fell just two points short in a cliffhanger against Ireland in Sydney last week, with Tom Wright named at fullback for the Test.
Max Jorgensen and Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch are again selected on the edges.
Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will again partner in the midfield.
Four Queenslanders will start in the forward pack – Josh Nasser at hooker, Josh Canham at lock, Fraser McReight at openside flanker – with Harry Wilson set to once again lead from number eight.
Nasser is joined by experienced props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row, with Canham set to link with Jeremy Williams as the starting lock pairing.
Two-time John Eales Medallist, Rob Valetini is selected as blindside flanker in what is a familiar loose forward trio alongside McReight and Wilson.
Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Wallabies’ appearance record holder James Slipper and Paris-based Taniela Tupou make up a highly experienced replacement front row.
Last week’s debutant Lachlan Shaw retains his position as the replacement lock, playing his first Test in his hometown, while Nick Champion de Crespigny is named on the bench as forward cover – Tom Hooper has also been ruled out through injury.
Queensland Reds leader Tate McDermott will provide impact as the substitute scrumhalf, with his versatile club teammate Jock Campbell also named on the bench. Filipo Daugunu has been selected to finalise the matchday 23 in what is his first appearance in the gold jersey in 2026.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The group has reset this week in Brisbane after what was a tough ending to the first game of the Nations Championship.
“We have worked hard on continuing to improve after missing some vital opportunities last weekend. We know we can be better on Saturday, and we know that we will need to be against the back-to-back Six Nations Champions “
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Jock Campbell, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Date: Saturday, July 11
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 17.40 (09.40 CEST; 07.40 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England) & Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
