Gleeson and Daugunu named in Wallabies side to take on Flying Fijians this Sunday

Langi Gleeson and Filipo Daugunu have been named by Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt in his Test side to take on the Fiji Water Flying Fijians this Sunday.

Gleeson will start at blindside flanker while Daugunu will come off the bench .

Schmidt has also recalled David Porecki into the squad after almost 650 days out of the Test arena.

Porecki pulls on the gold jersey for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, starting at hooker.

Schmidt has opted for an experienced prop duo of James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa, with Angus Bell on the bench.

Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams combine in the second-row once again, with Langi Gleeson slotting into the back-row.

Gleeson will play blindside flanker, allowing skipper Harry Wilson to stay at number eight alongside Reds teammate Fraser McReight.

Tate McDermott will start at scrumhalf following his strong Super Rugby season, with Noah Lolesio retaining his spot at flyhalf.

This leaves local product Nic White and Force teammate Ben Donaldson to finish the games in the halves.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii earns his first Wallabies start on home soil, combining with Len Ikitau in the centres.

Suaalii will line up at outside centre after spending the Super Rugby season at fullback, with Ikitau reverting to the number 12 jersey.

Harry Potter will also play his first Test in Australia, having debuted on the Spring Tour, with Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright rounding out the starting side.

ACT Brumbies duo Billy Pollard and Tom Hooper are among the forwards replacements, with Carlo Tizzano also rewarded for his excellent season.

Head Coach Joe Schmidt says the whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from their assembly through to the Test on Sunday against Fiji.

Schmidt says the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd in Newcastle, as they kick off an exciting but incredibly demanding 2025 Test match schedule.

Starting XV

James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Max Jorgensen, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, Tom Wright.

Impact players Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu

The Wallabies play the Flying Fijians at 3.30pm Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium.

[Source: rugby.com.au]