Arizona Tribune - Campbell back from four years in Wallabies wilderness to face Ireland

Australia meet Andy Farrell's men in Sydney on Saturday to kick off their Nations Championship campaign with Campbell at fullback and Carter Gordon and Ryan Lonergan in the crucial playmaker roles.

Campbell will win his fifth cap in his first appearance since the 2022 win against Wales in Cardiff after a strong season for Queensland Reds.

He forms a back-three partnership with wings Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch while Exeter's Len Ikitau returns in the centres to partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

"Jock has had a really good season for the Reds and he's a player that we've had discussions over the last two years about him not being far away," said Schmidt, who will hand over the coaching reins to Les Kiss later this month.

"He's been fast, he's been very good under the high ball. He's a good solution for us at fullback."

Gordon was preferred at No.10 to Ben Donaldson -- Schmidt's third different flyhalf in as many Tests.

He has never played a game with scrum-half Lonergan, who starts for the first time courtesy of a long-term injury to incumbent Jake Gordon and with Tate McDermott on the bench.

"We've had four trainings. It doesn't sound like a lot, because it's not a lot, but it's all we've got, so you take what you've got," he said.

"You make the most of it, and I think those two guys (Gordon and Lonergan) have made the most of it."

Veteran prop James Slipper, who has been coaxed out of retirement, is on the bench with Josh Nasser, Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row.

Queensland Reds' Josh Canham was handed a first start in the second row alongside Jeremy Williams, with Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson filling out the back row.

Australia have lost their last five matches against Ireland, including a thumping 46-19 defeat in Dublin.

But Schmidt insisted the two teams were not far apart.

"We're 19-14 at half-time and we've had far less of the ball, far less of the territory, but still in the game," he said of the Dublin defeat.

"The last four minutes, they score those two late tries when we were over-chasing the game. That sort of thing is going to happen.

"You get a score and and you're close enough. So we don't feel like we're miles away."

Australia (15-1):

Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams; Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachie Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright

O.Ortiz--AT