The Wallabies will need to field a third captain for three games under new coach Joe Schmidt, with Liam Wright unable to recover ahead of Saturday’s game against Georgia.
Allan Ala-Alatoa takes over from James Sleeper, who took over after Wright suffered a shoulder injury, and Schmidt continues to command attention early in his tenure, with 21-year-old winger Darby Lancaster set to make his Wallabies debut.
Former All Blacks player Alex Hodgman is also on the bench, becoming only the fourth player in history to play in a Test match for both New Zealand and Australia.
Queensland Reds back-rower Harry Wilson will make his eighth Test start, his first since 2022, while front-rowers Isaac Kylia and Billy Pollard have played just four Tests together, both as reserves against Wales, and will make their first starts for the Wallabies.
Back-rower Angus Blythe is also set to make his debut as a run-on to add a fresh face to Schmidt’s starting XI, while Nick Frost is set to make his first appearance for the Wallabies in 2024 and Schmidt has also confirmed a new halves pair.
Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson are expected to feature for the first and second halves, the latter playing his second Test match on home soil and his first in his home city.
Georgia recorded a surprise win over Japan, coached by former Wallabies mentor Eddie Jones, and Schmidt said it would be a huge challenge for his side, who have won back-to-back games against Wales.
He said: “Georgia have proven to be a very difficult team to play against in recent years, as evidenced by their wins against Italy and Wales and last week in Japan.”
“They’ve added some very interesting backs to their traditional forward strength and challenged opponents all over the park.”
Donaldson scored 25 goals at full-back against Georgia at last year’s World Cup in France and is now being given the chance to step into the Kane playmaker role after substitute Noah Roletio.
Winger Lancaster has broken into the Wallabies starting line-up after establishing himself through the Rugby Sevens team and impressing for the Junior Wallabies at last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship.
Lancaster have played just nine Super Rugby matches in the Rebels.
Wallabies v Wales
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 3.45pm Saturday, July 20
1. Isaac Kylia
2. Billy Pollard
3. Alan Alaalato (c)
4. Nick Frost
5. Angus Bliss
6. Rob Ballettini
7. Fraser McWright
8. Harry Wilson
9. Tate McDermott
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Darby Lancaster*
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Ren Ikitau
14. Philip Dougnu
15. Tom Wright
replacement
16. Josh Nasser
17. Alex Hodgman
18. Jane Nongor
19. Tom Hooper
20. Jeremy Williams
21. Nick White
22. Noah Rolesio
23. Andrew Kellaway
