Ikitau Returns as Wallabies Announce team to Face Ireland
Len Ikitau, the 2025 John Eales Medallist, will return to the Wallabies lineup for thier clash against Ireland at Aviva stadium on Saturday night (local time). He will partner with joseph-aukuso Suaalii in the centres, a combination that has featured in 12 of the Wallabies’ last 16 Tests.
James O’Connor will start at flyhalf for his first Test in the northern hemisphere since 2021, linking up with NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon at scrumhalf. The back three will consist of Max Jorgensen, Filipo daugunu, and Harry Potter.
The experienced Allan Alaalatoa returns to the starting XV, joining Matt Faessler and Angus Bell in the front row. Tom hooper shifts to lock alongside Jeremy Williams, while Rob Valetini starts at blindside flanker, completing the loose forward trio with Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson.
On the bench, Dubbo junior tom Robertson is selected as the substitute loosehead prop, supported by Billy Pollard and Zane Nonggorr. Nick Frost provides lock cover, and Carlo Tizzano offers back row support. Ryan lonergan and Tane Edmed are the substitute scrumhalves, with Andrew Kellaway providing versatility across the backline.
Wallabies coach joe Schmidt acknowledged the challenging schedule, stating, “it’s been a tough schedule but we’ve tried to embrace that this week and tried to freshen up at the same time.” He added, “It’s another opportunity this Saturday to really challenge ourselves against one of the top teams in the world.”
Wallabies team to play Ireland:
- Angus Bell (48 tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby Club
- Matt Faessler (16 tests) – USQ Saints
- Allan Alaalatoa (86 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
- Jeremy Williams (23 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
- Tom Hooper (20 Tests) – Bathurst Bulldogs
- Rob Valetini (60 Tests) – Harlequin Rugby Club
- Fraser McReight (37 Tests) – Albany Creek brumbies
- Harry Wilson (c) (34 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
- Jake Gordon (35 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors
Wallabies 2024 International Results & Spring Tour Schedule
Here’s a summary of the Wallabies’ international rugby results for 2024, including their Spring Tour matches:
August 2024
* August 16: South Africa 22 defeated Australia 38 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/springboks-beat-wallabies-in-opening-rugby-championship-clash
* August 23: South Africa 30 defeated Australia 22 at DHL Stadium,Cape Town. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/springboks-down-wallabies-in-cape-town-thriller
September 2024
* September 6: Australia 28 defeated Argentina 24 at Queensland country Bank Stadium, Townsville. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabies-win-thriller-against-argentine
* September 13: Argentina 28 defeated Australia 26 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/pumas-snatch-win-over-wallabies-in-sydney
* September 27: New Zealand 33 defeated Australia 24 at Eden Park, Auckland. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/all-blacks-too-strong-for-wallabies-in-auckland
* october 4: New Zealand 28 defeated Australia 14 at Optus Stadium, Perth. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/all-blacks-complete-sweep-of-wallabies
October – November 2024 (Spring Tour)
* October 25: Australia 19 defeated Japan 15 at National Stadium, Tokyo.https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabies-edge-japan-in-tokyo-test
* November 1: England 25 defeated Australia 7 at Allianz Stadium,London. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/england-dominate-wallabies-at-twickenham
* November 8: Italy 26 defeated Australia 19 at Bluenergy Stadium, Udine. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/italy-claim-historic-win-over-wallabies
* November 16: Australia v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT at Aviva Stadium, Dublin. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabies-name-team-to-face-ireland
* November 23: australia v France at 7:10am AEDT at Stade de France, Paris. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabies-to-take-on-france-in-paris
Note: AEDT refers to Australian Eastern Daylight