Porecki back for Wallabies with Wilson captain against Fiji / Photo: Olivier CHASSIGNOLE - AFP
-
Sinner powers into fifth straight Wimbledon quarter-final
-
Venezuela quake survivor 'reborn' after eight days in rubble
-
Euphoric homecoming for Cape Verde after heroic World Cup run ends
-
Red-card U-turn rocks World Cup as England face Azteca test
-
White supremacist march in DC just 'messy' democracy, official says
-
Struff oldest first-time men's Slam quarter-finalist in Open era
-
'Perfectionist' Djokovic not happy to win ugly at Wimbledon
-
Banana!: 'Minions' knocks 'Toy Story' off N.America box office perch
-
'Catastrophic' Super Typhoon Bavi aims at US Pacific island Rota
-
Sabalenka wants to drink, 'forget about tennis' after Wimbledon exit
-
Reflective Ronaldo takes on critics 'trying to kill me for 23 years'
-
Mooney stars as Australia hammer England in women's World Cup final
-
Verstappen claims Red Bull car 'dangerous' after crash
-
Djokovic makes history, Osaka sends Sabalenka crashing out of Wimbledon
-
Trump thanks FIFA for suspending USA's Balogun World Cup ban
-
Osaka beats world number one Sabalenka in Wimbledon last 16
-
Mooney stars as Australia hammer England in women's T20 World Cup final
-
Eala eyeing Wimbledon quarters, Dimitrov faces Fery
-
Russell concedes Ferrari are threat to Mercedes
-
'Privileged' Del Toro wins Tour de France stage, Pogacar up to 2nd
-
Leclerc snaps winless run to reignite title race
-
Del Toro too tired to watch Mexico World Cup clash
-
Infernos devastate forests as Europe's temperatures rise again
-
Court frees Albania protesters held after violent clashes
-
'Tough' Leclerc delivers Ferrari's 250th win with victory in British GP
-
Four-legged rescuers lead way after Venezuela quakes
-
Tour de France stage 3rd stage to go ahead despite forest fires: official
-
France show they can ditch flair and win a different way in World Cup quest
-
Spain's Rodri warns Portugal best yet to come at World Cup
-
Australia hold England to 150-4 in Women's T20 World Cup final
-
Djokovic makes Wimbledon history to reach quarter-finals
-
Leclerc delivers Ferrari's 250th win with victory in British GP
-
Del Toro wins Tour de France stage, Pogacar up to 2nd
-
White supremacist march in DC just 'messy' democracy: US official
-
Euphoric homecoming for Cape Verde after heroic World Cup defeat
-
'Country Roads' stars as unofficial US anthem at World Cup
-
Tour de France stage under threat due to forest fires: official
-
F1 boss Domenicali hopes to restore cancelled Gulf grand prix
-
UK hard-right leader Farage faces new allegations over gifts
-
Real Madrid sign Dumfries from Inter Milan
-
OPEC+ raises quotas again as Middle East calms
-
At the foot of Mount Olympus, a return to ancient Greek heritage
-
Azam to captain Pakistan on West Indies and England Test tours
-
Turkey eyes F110 fighter jet engines as Trump comes to town
-
Revival hopes grow for long-closed Greek Orthodox seminary off Istanbul
-
England, Mexico take centre stage in Azteca blockbuster
-
Trump hails US, blasts 'communists' in 250th anniversary speech
-
'Very dangerous' super typhoon nears US Pacific islands
-
Taiwanese film hunters rescue ageing reels from bygone era
-
Australia stand by under-fire Popovic after World Cup exit
Porecki back for Wallabies with Wilson captain against Fiji
Former skipper Dave Porecki will make his first start for the Wallabies since the 2023 World Cup when they play Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, with Harry Wilson retaining the captaincy.
In their only game before three Tests against the British and Irish Lions, Porecki will bed down in an experienced front row alongside veterans James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa.
It marks a remarkable comeback for the 32-year-old hooker, who was sidelined for most of 2024 with a bad Achilles issue after leading the side at the World Cup in France.
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams reignite their second-row partnership.
Wilson keeps the captain's armband, directing operations from the back of the scrum with Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson on flanker duties.
Regular flanker Rob Valetini -- arguably Australia's best player -- and giant lock Will Skelton were nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad.
They are both reportedly battling calf injuries in a worry ahead of the Lions series starting in Brisbane on July 19.
Tate McDermott will start as scrum-half while first-choice Jake Gordon deals with a hamstring niggle, with Nic White on the bench and Noah Lolesio at flyhalf.
The ever-consistent Len Ikitau partners dynamic Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in midfield, while Max Jorgensen returns from an ankle injury on the left wing, Harry Potter will be on the right wing and Tom Wright at fullback.
"The whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from our assembly through to the Test on Sunday against Fiji," said head coach Joe Schmidt.
"I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd in Newcastle, as we kick off an exciting but incredibly demanding 2025 Test match schedule."
Australia (15-1):
Tom Wright; Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen; Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Langi Gleeson; Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, David Porecki, James Slipper
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu
N.Walker--AT
