Wallabies: Hunter Paisami and key changes against Japan, according to Joe Schmidt

The Wallabies center, Hunter Paisami, could be one of Australia’s key players who will have the opportunity to fight for a regular starting position, as Joe Schmidt prepares several changes for the individual test against Japan in Tokyo on Saturday. Paisami is set to replace John Eales Medal winner Len Ikitau at number 12, after the world-class midfielder officially began his nine-month stint with English club Exeter, in the Chiefs’ 38-0 victory over Harlequins on Sunday. Ikitau participated in one of the five Exeter trials in a typically solid display alongside his Brumbies and Wallabies teammate, Tom Hooper, who also made his official Premiership debut. The absence of the Wallabies’ duo from Schmidt’s team, both starters in the Bledisloe Cup defeat in Perth, as well as Will Skelton, and the retirement of James Slipper, means there will be at least four changes in the starting XV of Australia that will face the Brave Blossoms. And it shapes up as the perfect opportunity for Paisami to make his case, as the only other start at the center this season was in the narrow defeat against Argentina in Sydney. We are eager, obviously, there are some of us here, we have Hamish (Stewart), Filipo Daugunu also who can cover that number 12 jersey.

So it’s for us to simply push each other, compete, that way we can improve and, hopefully, get more playing time in the number 12 jersey.

Paisami in Tokyo

Obviously, with the quality and consistency that Joey (Suaalii) and Len (Ikitau) have been playing, it’s quite difficult to move away from that.

Paisami in Tokyo

Schmidt could also consider Hamish Stewart at inside centre, but the fact that the Western Force midfielder was part of Australia A’s resounding 71-7 victory over the Japan XV suggests Paisami is likely to get the nod.

Stewart could still offer coverage on the bench as a starter and in midfield, although Schmidt indicated last week that returning playmaker Carter Gordon was in line for an immediate opportunity after completing his move from the Gold Coast Titans.

Carter being the 10 in the team, there is a very good possibility that he may be involved (against Japan).

Schmidt last week

If we don’t invest now, we’re not going to see benefits in two years when that home World Cup is still a massive opportunity for us to really show what we can do in the game here in Australia.

Schmidt last week

While Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was included directly in the starting team of the Wallabies against England after his switch from rugby league last year, Schmidt has Tane Edmed at his disposal as fly-half, and the Brumbies playmaker has already enjoyed two starts in the Rugby Championship. In other places, Rob Valetini is shaping up as a sure starter after recovering from an injury from the bench, and the Brumbies forward will apparently go straight into the number 6 jersey vacated by Hooper, while Fraser McReight’s heavy workload means that Carlo Tizzano could finally get a chance in the number 7 jersey. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Jeremy Williams are shaping up as the likely replacement options for Skelton, while Andrew Kellaway’s return from injury gives Schmidt more versatility in his three-quarter contingent. And Angus Bell, who has been largely used as a substitute this season behind Slipper, could finally get a chance in the number 1 jersey after the Waratahs prop, who will take on a stint with Ulster after the Wallabies’ spring tour, completely missed the defeat to the All Blacks in Perth. Schmidt will confirm his team on Thursday afternoon for a match that, although the Wallabies themselves might not agree with Eddie Jones’ revenge narrative, certainly has extra significance for the wider Australian rugby community. But it’s also a dangerous game, so to speak, as Australia has everything to lose and nothing to gain from a world ranking perspective, which is increasingly important in the countdown to the 2027 World Cup draw in Sydney in December.