Joe Schmidt has named Liam Wright as captain of the Australia team to face Wales on Saturday featuring seven potential debutants for his first Test as Wallabies head coach.

The Reds flanker takes the reins from Will Skelton, who skippered the Wallabies during their disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign last year. Skelton is based overseas and was not considered for the two-Test series Down Under.

Whether Wright, who has played five Tests, is the long-term choice remains to be seen with Schmidt previously saying he planned to experiment against the Welsh.

Allan Alaalatoa and Tate McDermott, who both start from the bench in Sydney, were also seen as in the running to don the armband, as was Dave Porecki who is injured.

“The squad has worked hard over the last week or so to prepare as best we can for what’s going to be an incredibly tough Test against Wales,” said Schmidt on Thursday.

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The New Zealander, appointed in January, handed debuts to Force captain and lock Jeremy Williams and Reds centre Josh Flook.

Williams will combine in the second row with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who was recalled for the first time since 2021.

Hooker Matt Faessler earned his first Wallabies start, alongside props Taniela Tupou and veteran James Slipper, who will line up for his 135th appearance.

Multiple players left out by Jones for the World Cup return, with Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively, Hunter Paisami at inside centre, Filipo Daugunu on the wing and Tom Wright at fullback.

Isaac Kailea, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Dylan Pietsch and Tom Lynagh were all named on the bench for potential debuts.

Australia – 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright (c), 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Issac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images for ARU

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