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For Australia, the big talking point is the already mention selection of Sua’ali’i at 13, the most important position in the back division both in attack and defence. The NRL convert was Jones era deal, but Schmidt seems convinced by the 21-year-old also.
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England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Alex Dombrandt, 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Sleightholme
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Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen
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We are often told to keep things in perspective, in particular that things are never quite as bad as they feel. There’s been a lot of that recently for people with their attention focused on US politics, the relaunch of the Ford Capri, or the men’s Australia rugby union team.
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Wins this year have been scarce and against the likes of Georgia, Portugal and the much troubled Wales, while the defeats have been plentiful and often humiliating; including shipping 67 points vs Argentina in the Rugby Championship and coupled with dwindling crowds. No surprise the vibe around the squad and the sport is poor as they commence this tour and look forward to welcoming the British & Irish Lions next summer. Is it all as bad as it feels?
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Perhaps not. They have Joe Schmidt, and while the results have been rubbish for a while they do at least look like they have a plan of how he wants them to play. A plan that may function eventually rather than some diabolical, ego driven dystopian nightmare that stains us all like the one Eddie Jones clearly had. The selection of league convert Joseph Sua’ali’i to start a test match at outside centre in his first union match since schooldays speaks to the current Australian state, but Schmidt is not usually a starry eyed bloke, so you have to be believe this forms part of the the longer term improvement. It would be some statement if Schmidt could start to really make his mark in this match.
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History does not favour the Kiwi-born coach, with a solitary Wallaby win in the previous eleven meetings and while England have had nothing more than a fair to middling 2024 at best, they are showing enough form to put this particular Aussie offering away.
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One of these sides will be heavily trying to keep things in perspective come the final whistle, we’ll know which in a few hours.
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main events
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team
Steve Borthwick has been consistent in his selections for some time, and that continues with his selections today.
For Australia, the big topic is the selection of No. 13 Suaalii, who, as already mentioned, is the most important position in both attack and defense in the back division. A move to the NRL was part of the deal during the Jones era, but Schmidt seems satisfied with the 21-year-old.
england: 15 George Firbank, 14 Immanuel Fay-Waboso, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stewart, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Ellis Genge
replacement item: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Finn Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isikwe, 20 Alex Dombrandt, 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Slightholm.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph Okuso Suaari, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McCreight. , 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Fessler, 1 Angus Bell
replacement item:16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Alan Araratoa, 19 Lucan Sarakaia Lotto, 20 Rangi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen
preamble
We are often told to keep things in perspective, especially that things are not as bad as they seem. There's been a lot of talk like this recently among people interested in US politics, the relaunch of the Ford Capri, the Australian men's rugby union team, and more.
Victories have been few this year against the likes of Georgia, Portugal and the much-troubled Wales, while losses have been many and often humiliating. This includes a 67-goal performance against Argentina in the Rugby Championship, which saw a reduced attendance. It's no surprise that the atmosphere around the team and the sport is poor as they begin this tour and look forward to hosting the British & Irish Lions next summer. Does it all feel bad?
Probably not. They have Joe Schmidt, and even though the results have been crappy for a while, at least he seems to have a plan for how he wants them to play. A plan that might work in the end, rather than a diabolical, ego-driven, dystopian nightmare that taints us all, as Eddie Jones clearly experienced. The choice of league convert Joseph Suaalii to start at outside center in a Test match, his first against the Union since his school days, speaks volumes about Australia's current situation, but Schmidt's normally bright-eyed I have to believe this because I'm not a man. Form part of a long-term improvement. If Schmidt can really start to shine in this game, it would make some kind of statement.
History has not been in the Kiwi-born manager's favor, with the Wallabies winning their last 11 meetings alone and England set for a mediocre to middling performance at best in 2024. He is in good enough form to beat out a special Australian offer.
Both sides will try hard to keep things in perspective until the final whistle, but we'll find out in the next few hours.
