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The Wallabies have opted for continuity for their end-of-year tour to Japan and Europe, a guiding light under Joe Schmidt's reign as head coach. While the squad has to contend with injuries and star players called up for club duty in England and France, several key returns help offset those losses. Dylan Pietsch and Andrew Kellaway are both back after recovering from injury, while Aidan Ross and Kalani Thomas are the only uncapped inclusions.
It’s the selection of Carter Gordon, fresh off signing a deal with the Queensland Reds for next season, that has everyone talking. Losing the likes of James Slipper, Nic White, James O’Connor, Will Skelton and Len Ikitau hasn’t left much room for Schmidt and his selectors to experiment.
Did he get the balance right?
He’s had to bide his time since making the switch to the Reds, but Ross has finally been rewarded with selection in a Wallabies squad. Following the retirement of James Slipper, the Wallabies needed some added firepower up front, and the Australian-born Ross will bring valuable experience and set-piece strength to Schmidt’s forward pack.
The young playmaker has been given a spell for this tour following a series of concussions early in his career. It is a commendable call from selectors given how short Australia is at flyhalf. The decision to rest Lynagh will pay dividends down the track, allowing him to fully recover and return stronger in 2026. He’s a future star; his time will come.
The surprise package of the squad. The young scrumhalf has quietly built experience behind Tate McDermott at the Reds and impressed during cameo appearances against the British & Irish Lions earlier this year. Thomas is a dynamic, high-tempo halfback known for his sharp service, sniping runs, and natural attacking instincts around the ruck. He plays with an instinctive, heads-up style, constantly scanning for mismatches and gaps. Expect him to push for a debut off the bench against Japan or Italy.
His inclusion raised eyebrows. The mercurial playmaker has spent the past couple of years in rugby league and is only just returning from serious spinal surgery. For Rugby Australia to buy out his contract and bring him back is a major gamble. Even more so if he’s heading to Europe just to hold tackle bags. It’ll be interesting to see if his body can hold up to the demands of international rugby.
A cruel blow for the Wallabies. The talismanic scrumhalf will miss the tour with a hamstring injury and be forced to watch from home. His pace and unpredictability turned several tests in Australia’s favour this year, and his absence will be felt. Jake Gordon now steps into the senior halfback role and will need to steer the team with a calm head and strong kicking game.
Called up for Premiership duty with Exeter, Ikitau’s absence leaves a glaring hole in midfield. The world’s best outside centre has reinvented himself as a dominant force at inside centre, providing go-forward through contact and mentoring Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali’i. His availability later in the tour isn’t guaranteed, with the Japan and England tests falling outside the international window.