The Wallabies have unveiled their 34-man squad for the eagerly anticipated Bledisloe Cup clashes against New Zealand, and there’s no shortage of intrigue as Australia aims to reclaim the storied trophy for the first time since 2002. With the Rugby Championship entering its final rounds, the Wallabies sit atop the standings by a bonus point, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown against their trans-Tasman rivals.
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa headlines the squad named by head coach Joe Schmidt, who has steered the Wallabies through a whirlwind season featuring tough contests against the British and Irish Lions, South Africa, and Los Pumas. The squad, which blends experience with fresh faces, will travel to Auckland on Sunday, September 21, ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park on September 27.
Among the most notable inclusions is scrum-half Jake Gordon, who has recovered from injury and rejoined the Wallabies after missing recent action. Gordon’s return fills a crucial gap left by the retirement of Nic White, whose emotional farewell was marked by his Instagram post: “F--- I’m gonna miss it.” With Gordon back in the mix, Ryan Lonergan—Canberra’s promising halfback—remains the only uncapped player in the squad, rounding out a trio of No. 9s that also includes Queensland’s Tate McDermott, who is on the verge of his 50th Test cap.
Veteran prop James Slipper is poised to make history in Auckland. Should he take the field, Slipper will become the first Wallaby to reach 150 Test appearances, joining a rarefied group that includes Wales’s Alun-Wyn Jones and New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock. “It’s a massive achievement,” said Schmidt, reflecting on Slipper’s durability and leadership. The milestone offers a poignant subplot to the first Bledisloe Cup clash, adding extra motivation for both the player and his teammates.
Injuries have shaped the Wallabies’ selection throughout the campaign, but there’s a sense of optimism as key players return to fitness. Lock Nick Frost (tight back) and centre Len Ikitau (knee laceration), both of whom missed the recent 28-26 defeat against Argentina in Sydney, have been retained. Fly-half Tom Lynagh, who had been sidelined with a hamstring issue, also rejoins the squad. The only significant omissions are veteran forwards Will Skelton and Pete Samu, though there remains a possibility Skelton could be called up for the second Bledisloe Test in Perth.
The Wallabies’ playmaking role has been a hot topic, with veteran James O’Connor set for a whirlwind week. After departing for England on Monday to link up with Leicester Tigers, O’Connor will fly directly to Auckland to rejoin his Wallabies teammates. While there was initial uncertainty about his involvement, O’Connor’s versatility and experience are expected to be crucial off the bench, supporting either Tom Lynagh or Tane Edmed at No. 10. O’Connor, speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, joked, “I am happy to do what my dog is doing and fly under the plane to get back.”
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper weighed in on the fly-half debate, voicing support for Tane Edmed despite a rocky outing against Argentina. “It’d be tough to come in for a game for a start and then get dropped,” Hooper told Stan Sport. “What I really liked about Tane’s performance, he was very vocal… he’s actually largely a facilitator. We see some big errors, and they look like big errors, but that’s not the whole piece of what he’s doing. From what I saw, there were some really nice things, the 50/22 that he cuts back down the edge. Like that’s good vision and even after a couple of mistakes, good confidence to be able to pull the trigger on that.”
Australia’s recent form has been a rollercoaster. The Wallabies kicked off July with a narrow 21-18 win over Fiji, before suffering back-to-back losses to the British & Irish Lions (19-27 in Brisbane and 26-29 in Melbourne). Redemption came in Sydney with a 22-12 victory, followed by a commanding 38-22 win against South Africa in Johannesburg. However, inconsistency has lingered, with a 22-30 defeat in Cape Town and a tight 28-24 win over Argentina in Townsville preceding the latest 26-28 loss to Los Pumas in Sydney.
Despite the ups and downs, the Wallabies have emerged as surprise leaders in the Rugby Championship, holding a slender advantage over South Africa and New Zealand. With Argentina only a point further back, the competition remains wide open. Coach Schmidt acknowledged the intensity of the schedule: “After an intense period, from the British and Irish Lions Series, playing in South Africa and then here in Australia against Los Pumas, it’s been ideal for players to take a breath before heading to Auckland for the fifth match in the Rugby Championship. We know that the Championship has been incredibly competitive and that we will need to be better than we were last time out to have any chance against a fired-up All Blacks side.”
The Wallabies face a daunting task at Eden Park, a venue where New Zealand boasts an unbeaten streak of 51 matches stretching back to 1994. The All Blacks, stung by a record 43-10 defeat to South Africa in Wellington last week, will be desperate to rebound in front of their home crowd. Australia, meanwhile, is seeking to break a 23-year Bledisloe Cup drought and cement their place at the top of the Rugby Championship standings.
The second Bledisloe Cup Test will take place on October 4 at Optus Stadium in Perth, offering another chance for the Wallabies to make history. The squad will then embark on a demanding northern hemisphere tour, facing Japan, England, Italy, Ireland, and France through October and November.
The Wallabies’ 34-man squad features a balance of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent. Forwards include Alaalatoa, Bell, Canham, Champion de Crespigny, Frost, Hooper, McReight, Nasser, Nonggorr, Paenga-Amosa, Pollard, Robertson, Salakaia-Loto, Slipper, Tizzano, Tupou, Valetini, Williams, and Wilson. The backs are Daugunu, Edmed, Gordon, Ikitau, Jorgensen, Kellaway, Lonergan, Lynagh, McDermott, O’Connor, Paisami, Potter, Stewart, Suaalii, and Toole.
With so much at stake and the Rugby Championship on a knife-edge, anticipation is sky-high as the Wallabies prepare for their biggest challenge yet. Will Australia’s blend of youth and experience be enough to topple the All Blacks at their Eden Park fortress? Rugby fans on both sides of the Tasman can hardly wait for the action to unfold.
As the Wallabies set their sights on Auckland, all eyes will be on Slipper’s historic milestone, O’Connor’s transcontinental journey, and Schmidt’s evolving squad. The countdown to the Bledisloe Cup opener is on, and the Rugby Championship’s fate hangs in the balance.
