Wallabies coach gambles at selection table in Test farewell

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt gambles with selections in Test farewell against Italy in Perth Thu 16 Jul 2026 at 4:23pm In short: Fraser McReight will start from the reserves bench against Italy in Perth on Saturday night. Declan Meredith has retained his spot at fly half. What's next? ABC Sport will live blog the Wallabies vs Italy Test from 7pm AEST on Saturday. Outgoing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is rolling the dice in his final Test in charge, dropping openside flanker Fraser McReight to the reserves bench for Saturday night's Test against Italy. McReight scored two tries and was the Wallabies' best player in their 42-26 Nations Championship loss to France in Brisbane last Saturday night. But Carlo Tizzano will start in the number seven jersey, with the Western Force star keen to impress in his first Test of 2026 in front of his home fans in Perth. In another selection gamble, Declan Meredith was retained at fly half. Meredith made his Test debut against France after Ben Donaldson and Carter Gordon were struck down by calf injuries. Donaldson proved his fitness this week but will come off the bench. It means fullback Jock Campbell, who was the reserve fly half last Saturday, has missed out on a spot in the match day squad altogether. Harry Potter has been named on the wing to replace the injured Dylan Pietsch (calf). Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero is in line to make his Wallabies debut after being named on the bench. The Wallabies, ranked eighth in the world, will be aiming to snap a six-match losing streak when they face Italy. Schmidt has overseen nine losses from the past 10 matches, dropping his overall record at the Wallabies to 11 wins from 30 Tests. A loss in his final match in charge would result in Schmidt ending his reign with the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era. World number 10 Italy is also winless in the Nations Championship, falling to Japan (27-10) and New Zealand (47-17). Wallabies squad: Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan, Harry Wilson (C), Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell Reserves: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Miles Amatosero, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu AAP