Gold Coast junior and Wallaby number 843 James Slipper will become the most capped Wallaby of all-time when he runs out for his 140th Test on Saturday afternoon at Accor Stadium.
Making his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will surpass George Gregan’s record after being named as the replacement loosehead prop for the first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney.
A stalwart of Australian Rugby, Slipper is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four Rugby World Cups and earlier this year broke the record for the most capped Test prop ever in International Rugby.
In further team news, Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the starting side after fully recovering from their injuries. The openside flanker is yet to feature in the 2024 Rugby Championship, while Paisami’s knee injury kept him out of the tour to Argentina.
Maitland junior Nic White will start at scrumhalf, partnering with Noah Lolesio who returns at flyhalf, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to earn his spot at fullback.
Wright’s return sees Andrew Kellaway shift back to the right wing, with Marika Koroibete remaining on the left edge. Len Ikitau will reignite his combination with Paisami in the midfield.
Apart from McReight, the starting forward pack is unchanged with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou the run on front row, with the side set to wear their First Nations jersey for the second time this year.
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will continue their partnership as the run on locks, with blindside flanker Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson, joining McReight as the loose forward trio.
Western Sydney’s Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021after returning to Australian Rugby from France earlier this year. He’ll join Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also overcome injury to be selected as the substitute second rower, with Langi Gleeson to cover the backrow.
Reds duo Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh are the replacement halves for the second straight Test, with Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch rounding out the matchday 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year.”
“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.”
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 matches will also be shown live on the Nine Network.
- Angus Bell (31 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
- Matt Faessler (10 Tests) – USQ Saint
- Taniela Tupou (54 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
- Nick Frost (19 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
- Jeremy Williams (6 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
- Rob Valetini (46 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
- Fraser McReight (20 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
- Harry Wilson (c) (17 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
- Nic White (69 Tests) – Maitland Blacks
- Noah Lolesio (23 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
- Marika Koroibete (62 Tests) – Nasinu Secondary College, Fiji
- Hunter Paisami (29 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
- Len Ikitau (33 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
- Andrew Kellaway (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
- Tom Wright (31 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes - Brandon Paenga-Amosa (14 Tests) – Southern Districts
- James Slipper (139 Tests) – Bond Pirates
- Allan Alaalatoa (74 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (35 Tests) – Randwick
- Langi Gleeson (7 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
- Tate McDermott (35 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
- Tom Lynagh (3 Tests) – University of Queensland
- Dylan Pietsch (2 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms
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
Wallabies 7 defeated by South Africa 33, 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 Estudiantes de La Plata, La Plata
Wallabies 27 defeated by Argentina 67 on Saturday September 7 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe
Wallabies v New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wallabies v England, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, 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
Tickets to the Wallabies 2024 Home Tests are available to purchase here.
The Bledisloe Cup in Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
