Wallabies' Suaalii to start on the bench in Wales clash

Cross-code sensation Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been surprisingly dropped from the Wallabies' starting line-up against Wales following his sensational debut against England.

The 21-year-old, who was man-of-the-match in the nail-biting triumph over England at Twickenham last Saturday having played the entire 80 minutes, will revert to the bench in Cardiff on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

Outside centre Suaalii has been replaced at 13 by his inside centre partner at Twickenham, Len Ikitau, while Samu Kerevi has been drafted in to No.12 to earn his 50th cap.

Back rower Rob Valetini will also play his 50th Test for Australia at the Principality Stadium, with the Australians hoping to get half-way to their ambition of a 'grand slam' against all four of their British Isles' opponents.

Back-to-back John Eales Medallist, Valetini moves to No.8 with captain Harry Wilson ruled out over concussion protocols.

Tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa will captain the side in Wilson's absence, combining with Angus Bell and Matt Faessler in the front row. French-based former captain Will Skelton has also been selected for his first Test of 2024 and will partner Nick Frost in the second row, while Nic White will return as starting scrum-half, with Tate McDermott again set to provide impact from the bench as he did in London.

In place of the injured Dylan Pietsch, the Twickenham match-winning try scorer Max Jorgensen will start on the left wing.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said in a statement: "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."

Wallabies team:

1.⁠ ⁠Angus Bell (33 Tests), 2.⁠ ⁠Matt Faessler (13 Tests), 3.⁠ ⁠Allan Alaalatoa (capt) (77 Tests), 4. ⁠Nick Frost (22 Tests), 5.⁠ ⁠Will Skelton (30 Tests), 6.⁠ ⁠Seru Uru (1 Test), 7.⁠ ⁠Fraser McReight (23 Tests), 8.⁠ ⁠ Rob Valetini (49 Tests), 9.⁠ ⁠Nic White (70 Tests), 10.⁠ ⁠Noah Lolesio (26 Tests), 11.⁠ Max Jorgensen (4 Tests), 12.⁠ ⁠ Samu Kerevi (49 Tests), 13.⁠ ⁠ Len Ikitau (36 Tests), 14.⁠ ⁠Andrew Kellaway (36 Tests), 15.⁠ ⁠Tom Wright (34 Tests).

Replacements: 16.⁠ ⁠Brandon Paenga-Amosa (17 Tests), 17.⁠ ⁠James Slipper (141 Tests), 18.⁠ ⁠Zane Nonggorr (8 Tests), 19.⁠ ⁠Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (37 Tests), 20.⁠ ⁠Langi Gleeson (11 Tests), 21.⁠ ⁠Tate McDermott (38 Tests), 22.⁠ ⁠Ben Donaldson (14 Tests), 23.⁠ Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (1 Test).