Wallabies: Paisami and Gordon lead changes vs Japan, seeking revenge

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 this 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 and James Slipper’s retirement, means there will be at least four changes in the Australian starting XV that will face the Brave Blossoms. This situation presents itself as the perfect opportunity for Paisami to prove his worth, as his only other start this season was in the close defeat against 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 push each other, compete, that way we can improve and, hopefully, get more game time in the number 12 spot.

Hunter Paisami

Obviously, with the quality and consistency that Joey (Suaalii) and Len (Ikitau) have been showing, 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 the Japan XV suggests that a fresh Paisami is likely to be the pick.

Stewart could still offer coverage on the bench as a starter 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 in the team, there’s a good chance he could be involved (against Japan).

Joe Schmidt

If we don’t invest now, we’re not going to see any benefits in two years, when that home World Cup is still a massive 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 available as fly-half, and the Brumbies playmaker has already enjoyed two starts in the Rugby Championship. Furthermore, Rob Valetini looks set to be a certain starter after recovering from injury off the bench, and the Brumbies’ back-rower will seemingly 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 most 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 at the number 1 spot, after the Waratahs’ front-rower, who will take up 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 match, in a way, 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.