Suaalii fit to face Ireland as Wallabies change six
Joseph Suaalii made his Australia debut in the win over England earlier this month
- Published
Australia centre Joseph Suaalii has been passed fit to face Ireland on Saturday and is named in a side that shows six changes from last weekend's defeat by Scotland.
The rugby league convert, who made his debut against England earlier this month, was forced off in the early stages of the Murrayfield game amid fears he had suffered a broken wrist.
"Joe's fine, he got one of those stingers where he had a bit of a dead arm," said Australia coach Joe Schmidt at Thursday's team announcement.
"We felt it was better to get it properly assessed and we couldn't hold the game up to do that so we took him out of the game against Scotland."
The Wallabies coach - who was in charge of Ireland from 2013 to 2019 - makes five changes to his pack, including recalls for props James Slipper and Taniela Tupou.
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams pair up in the second row, with the latter having recovered from the illness that ruled him out of the Scotland Test.
Queensland's Fraser McReight is drafted into the back row with captain Harry Wilson and flanker Rob Valentini the only forwards retained from last week's starting line-up.
Props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa plus lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto drop to the bench after starting against Scotland with Will Skelton and Carlo Tizzano not named in the match-day squad after being included in the XV last weekend.
There is one change from last weekend's starting backline as Max Jorgensen is named at wing in place of Harry Potter, who made his debut in Edinburgh and will be on the bench in Dublin.
Waratahs fly-half Tane Edmed is in line for his first cap after being named among the replacements.
Australia: Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou; Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight; Harry Wilson (capt)
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tane Edmed, Harry Potter.