Kerevi, Valetini to play 50th Tests against Wales in Cardiff

Fri, Nov 15, 2024, 1:30 PM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
Rob Valetini will notch his 50th Test for the Wallabies against Wales in Cardiff this weekend. Photo: Getty Images
Rob Valetini will notch his 50th Test for the Wallabies against Wales in Cardiff this weekend. Photo: Getty Images

Inside centre Samu Kerevi and back rower Rob Valetini will play their 50th Tests for Australia when the Wallabies take on Wales at Principality Stadium on Sunday afternoon local time.

Kerevi will bring up the milestone having made his debut in 2016 and has been selected to play his first International since the Wallabies last match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He’ll partner Len Ikitau in the midfield.

Back-to-back John Eales Medallist, Valetini will reach his 50th cap, remarkably only missing two Tests since 2020. He moves to the number eight jersey, with Harry Wilson ruled out, and will link with Fraser McReight and Seru Uru in the back row. Uru earning his first start in just his second Test.

Tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa has been named to captain the side in Cardiff and will combine with Angus Bell and Matt Faessler in the front row.

France-based Will Skelton has also been selected for his first Test of 2024 and will partner Nick Frost as the run on locks.

The experienced Nic White will return to the number nine jersey where he will reignite a familiar combination with flyhalf Noah Lolesio.

After scoring the match winning try in last weekend’s game, Max Jorgensen has been named to start on the left wing in place of the injured Dylan Pietsch, with Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright completing the back three, as right winger and fullback respectively.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa is again the substitute hooker and will work alongside Gold Coast juniors James Slipper and Zane Nonggorr as the replacement front row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Langi Gleeson the remaining forward cover.

Queensland’s Tate McDermott will again look to provide impact as the replacement scrumhalf, alongside Ben Donaldson who can cover a number of positions across the backline, while last week’s debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii rounds out the matchday 23.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “Last week’s Test was fast-paced and physical and we’ve brought in some freshness for what’s going to be another bruising encounter in Cardiff.”

“As a group we’ve worked hard this week, knowing that there will be plenty of pressure on us this weekend.”

Watch all the action on Stan Sport with every Wallabies Test streaming ad-free, live and on demand with Wallabies at home in 4K UHD.

Wallabies team to play Wales at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday November 17 at 4:10pm GMT/3:10am AEDT (Monday)

1.⁠ ⁠Angus Bell (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2.⁠ ⁠Matt Faessler (13 Tests) – USQ Saints

3.⁠ ⁠Allan Alaalatoa (c) (77 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

4.⁠ ⁠Nick Frost (22 Tests) – Hornsby Lions

5.⁠ ⁠Will Skelton (30 Tests) – The Hills Sports High School

6.⁠ ⁠Seru Uru (1 Test) – Wests Bulldogs

7.⁠ ⁠Fraser McReight (23 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8.⁠ ⁠Rob Valetini* (49 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

9.⁠ ⁠Nic White (70 Tests) – Maitland Blacks

10.⁠ Noah Lolesio (26 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11.⁠ Max Jorgensen (4 Tests) – Balmain Wolves

12.⁠ ⁠Samu Kerevi* (49 Tests) – Souths Magpies

13.⁠ ⁠Len Ikitau (36 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

14.⁠ ⁠Andrew Kellaway (36 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15.⁠ ⁠Tom Wright (34 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16.⁠ ⁠Brandon Paenga-Amosa (17 Tests) – Southern Districts

17.⁠ ⁠James Slipper (141 Tests) – Bond Pirates

18.⁠ ⁠Zane Nonggorr (8 Tests) – Gold Coast Eagles

19.⁠ ⁠Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (38 Tests) - Randwick

20.⁠ ⁠Langi Gleeson (11 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins

21.⁠ ⁠Tate McDermott (38 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22.⁠ ⁠Ben Donaldson (14 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

23.⁠ ⁠Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (1 Test) – The Kings School

*denotes 50th Test

Wallabies 2024 Tests
July Tests

Wallabies 25 defeated Wales 16, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies 36 defeated Wales 28 on Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Wallabies 40 defeated Georgia 29 on Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies 7 defeated by South Africa 33 on Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies 12 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies 20 defeated Argentina 19 on Saturday August 31 at Estadio Uno, La Plata

Wallabies 27 defeated by Argentina 67 on Saturday September 7 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe

Wallabies 28 defeated by New Zealand 31 on Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies 13 defeated by New Zealand 33 on Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington

Spring Tour

Wallabies 42 defeated England 37 on Saturday November 9, Twickenham, London

Wallabies v Wales, 3:10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Wallabies v Scotland, 12:40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Wallabies v Ireland, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin

2024 Australia XV Tour

Australia XV 10 drew with Bristol Bears 10 on Friday November 8, Ashton Gate, Bristol

Australia XV v England A, 2:00pm GMT, Sunday November 17, Twickenham Stoop, London

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