Wallabies: Paisami and Gordon lead changes against Japan, Ikitau absent

The Wallabies center, Hunter Paisami, could be one of the Australian players vying for a regular spot in the starting team, as coach 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 talented 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 Exeter’s five tries in a solid performance alongside his Brumbies and Wallabies teammate, Tom Hooper, who also made his first official start in the Premiership. The absence of the Wallabies’ duo from Schmidt’s team, both starters in the Bledisloe Cup defeat in Perth, along with Will Skelton, as well as 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. This presents itself as a perfect opportunity for Paisami to prove his worth, as his only other start this season was in the narrow defeat to Argentina in Sydney.

We are eager, obviously, there are some of us here, we have Hamish (Stewart), Filipo Daugunu as well, who can cover that number 12 position.

Hunter Paisami

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

Hunter Paisami

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

Hunter Paisami

Schmidt could also consider Hamish Stewart at inside centre, but the fact that the Western Force midfielder was part of Australia A’s thumping 71-7 win over Japan XV suggests that a fresh Paisami is likely to be the pick.

Stewart could offer bench cover at fullback and in midfield, although Schmidt indicated last week that playmaker Carter Gordon was in line for an immediate opportunity after completing his switch from the Gold Coast Titans.

Carter, being number 10 on the team, there is a very good possibility that he can participate (against Japan).

Joe Schmidt

If we don’t invest now, we won’t see benefits in two years, when that home World Cup will still be a great opportunity to really show what we can do in the game here in Australia.

Joe Schmidt

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, as the Brumbies playmaker has already enjoyed two starts in the Rugby Championship.

On the other hand, Rob Valetini looks set to be a sure starter after recovering from injury from the bench, the Brumbies’ flanker will apparently slot straight into the number 6 jersey, vacated by Hooper, while Fraser McReight’s heavy workload means Carlo Tizzano could finally get a chance at number 7.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Jeremy Williams appear to be the 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 used extensively as a substitute this season behind Slipper, could finally get a chance at the number 1 spot, after the Waratahs’ front row, who will take a period 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, while 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 the perspective of world rankings, which is increasingly important in the countdown to the 2027 World Cup draw in Sydney in December.