White to start, Pietsch on the wing for sold out Lions Series finale

Wallabies coaches have made a number of changes to the matchday 23 for the third and final Test of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Series at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday night.

Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou will make his first appearance in a gold jersey this year, replacing the injured Allan Alaalatoa and will partner with hooker David Porecki and James Slipper who will play his 147th match for his country.

Bathurst Bulldogs junior Tom Hooper has come into the starting side at blindside flanker, in place of Rob Valetini, who is being managed. Hooper will link up with Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson in the loose forward trio, with the latter again captaining the side.

The experienced Nic White has been named to start at scrumhalf in what will be his 73rd and final Wallabies Test after announcing his retirement from international rugby. A Maitland Blacks junior, White will partner Tom Lynagh in the halves, while Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are again selected as the midfield pairing for the sixth straight Test.

Dylan Pietsch replaces the injured Harry Potter on the left wing with whe Wiradjuri man set to play for the first time in the special edition Wallabies jersey he designed for this year’s Lions Series. He’ll join 20-year-old Max Jorgensen, who will play his first Test in his hometown, and Tom Wright in the back three.

Lindfield Junior Billy Pollard has been named as the replacement hooker and will combine with Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr in the substitute front row.

Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams is the lock cover with Langi Gleeson selected as the back row replacement.

Tate McDermott, after coping incredibly well on the wing last week, will again bring energy off the bench, along with Ben Donaldson and Andrew Kellaway who round out the match day 23.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad was certainly deflated after the gut-wrenching end to last week’s Test in Melbourne but they have started to gather momentum in the back half of the week and will be ready to go again on Saturday.”

“The support in Brisbane and Melbourne helped to lift the squad and I know the support this weekend in Accor Stadium, will again help to lift the players in the high-pressure moments that we know are coming."

Australia starting XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch; 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Nic White; 8 Harry Wilson (capt), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper; 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost; 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 James Slipper. Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.

British & Irish Lions starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Blair Kinghorn; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Tadhg Beirne; 5 James Ryan, 4 Maro Itoje (capt); 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter. Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Owen Farrell.