The Wallabies are missing Starback Lower Rob Valletini for their third final Test against the British and Ireland Lions as manager Joe Schmidt prepares for a shock choice in the scrum half.
Valetini will be placed on ice for an Accor Stadium Clash in Sydney after not returning late in last week’s dramatic 29-26 defeat to the Lions at MCG.
Valentini had previously turned to the first half of the first half in his first game since Brumby’s Super Rugby semi-final loss in mid-June, the key to two-time governing John Eales medalists to put Australia on his front paw.
The backlower ran 28 meters on nine carries, but only improved the forwards that Lions backlower Tadhg Beirne played for 80 minutes.
Schmidt revealed that Balletini was “closed” at halftime, and the Wallabies decided not to send him in the second half as a result.
Wallabies apparently ruled on a two-test tour in South Africa two weeks after their third test with the Lions.
Rangi Gleason, who excelled from the MCG bench, will once again represent Barrecini after filling in the sixth jersey against Fiji in Newcastle before succumbing to Cork himself.
Elsewhere, Schmidt will turn to Nick White in the scrum half, which could be the veteran’s final test. White has not yet been featured with the Wallabies this season, but multiple media reports suggest that the Western Force Halfback will replace No. 9 Jersey Jake Gordon after last week’s Warataskipper played 80 minutes.
Schmidt will check his team later on Thursday, but Prop Tanieratupou is also expected to win a recall as a starter or from the bench following a shoulder injury to Alan Arratoa.