Wallabies LIVE: Australia take on Fiji in first Test of the year
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1.02pm
Who have you got today?
12.53pm
The Flying Fijians lining up strongly
Former AFL ruckman turned rugby coach Mick Byrne is leading the Fiji team after success with the Drua and has named a very strong team in the steel city.
Salesi Rayasi the former New Zealand sevens star now playing for Vannes in France gets his debut for Fiji.
As ever, there is a strong Drua feel to the team, highlighting the strength of tried and tested combinations, particularly in the halves with Caleb Mutz and Simione Kuruvoli.
Josua Tuisova is one of the most dangerous backs in the world and will soon be a teammate of Taniela Tupou at Racing 92.
Jiuta Wainiqolo is also a star with Toulon in the Top 14.
Fiji are labelled underdogs at the bookmakers, but this is an extremely strong side who will be desperate to repeat the win over the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup.
12.52pm
How the Wallabies are lining up
Some interesting selection decisions here by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
Veteran loosehead James Slipper will start ahead of Angus Bell and Dave Porecki is back in a Wallabies jersey at hooker after a long absence.
The absence of Rob Valetini has opened a slot for Waratahs player of the year Langi Gleeson who will relish the physical contest against the flying Fijiians.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen are back after injury interrupted seasons with NSW, with Harry Potter getting rewarded for his outstanding form for the Force.
Perennial breakdown pest Carlo Tizzano will be desperate to replace Fraser McReight and remind selectors why the number 7 Wallabies jumper isn't a foregone conclusion.
Finally, Tate McDermott gets a rare start with Jake Gordon nursing an injury and his sniping will set the Fiji team on edge.
12.52pm
Good afternoon to the true believers
Good afternoon to all of you.
The press box in Newcastle for the Wallabies first Test of the year will be some sight, after the weakened Waratahs shocked everyone with a performance for the ages against the best of Britain and Ireland last night. It kept everyone working in the wee small hours and why not?
Lions coach Andy Farrell accused the home side of their own watergate, with Waratahs coach Dan McKellar denying any water cans were used in his team's preparation in their brave 10-21 defeat.
Charlie Gamble was delivering beer eight years ago around Mascot and playing subbies on Camperdown Oval, he finished his night by completely outplaying 2022 World Rugby player of the year Josh Van der Flier.
It was the perfect entree for today's contest, the Wallabies almost at full-strength taking on a strong Fiji side in the steel city.
There is no Rob Valetini and Will Skelton who are nursing injuries that we have been told are not said to be serious enough to keep them out of the Lions series.
My decorated partner in the halves and former schoolboy rugby sensation Iain Payten is in Newcastle sending us his expert thoughts. I will be manning the blog, accompanied by my father from Belfast.
Here we go.
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News.com.au
9 hours ago
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Wallabies hooker David Porecki calls time on his career to ‘start a new chapter'
Wallabies hooker David Porecki has made the shock decision to retire from rugby. Porecki, 32, was part of Australia's squad for the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions, but was ruled out of last Saturday night's third clash in Sydney because of a cut heel. He also missed the Wallabies' 2024 campaign with an Achilles injury, but his retirement was seemingly unexpected as the national squad prepares to head to South Africa for two Rugby Championship games against the Springboks later this month. 'Rugby has given me so much to be thankful for and has been such a massive part of my life for so long but it feels like the right time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter,' said Porecki, who played in 21 Tests for the Wallabies. 'There's a lot of people who have supported me in my journey, and to them I'll be forever grateful. 'I'm especially looking forward to spending more time with my wife Shani and kids Luca, Charlie and Billie. 'I look forward to continuing to support the game away from the field in this next stage of my life.' Porecki also captained the Wallabies during the 2023 Rugby World Cup after Will Skelton was injured. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said Porecki was the 'ultimate professional and quiet achiever'. 'He doesn't say a lot, preferring to get on with the job and to lead by example, and he's done that really well for the time that I've known him,' Schmidt said. 'On behalf of everyone within the team we wish him and his family all the best in this next stage of their lives.' Sydney-born Porecki was proud to have represented both the Wallabies and the NSW Waratahs. 'To wear the Wallaby gold and Waratahs blue was a dream of mine as a boy growing up in Manly, and to be able to say I did both is something I'm incredibly proud of,' he said. Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said Porecki would be 'sadly missed'. 'I have worked closely with 'Porky' for a number of years and have huge respect for him, with what he brings on field with his qualities at set piece, physicality, and toughness,' McKellar said. 'He's never been the biggest hooker going around. He's always played well above his weight. 'Off field, he's a true family man and genuinely good bloke. He'll be sadly missed throughout the walls of the Waratahs … but I fully understand and respect his decision. 'We just wish him all the best.'
Perth Now
10 hours ago
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Wallabies star Porecki announces retirement from rugby
Wallabies hooker David Porecki has called time on his professional career, hanging up the boots with immediate and bred in Sydney, the 32-year-old bows out days after being a late scratching from Australia's 22-12 third-Test win over the British and Irish Lions at Accor Stadium. Porecki traversed an unconventional path in professional rugby, spending five seasons in the UK with Saracens and London Irish after playing just the one Super Rugby match for the NSW Waratahs in returned to Australia and the Waratahs ahead of the 2021 season, but his Wallabies debut came a year later in a memorable win against England in Perth. Known for his accuracy at set piece and tireless work rate, Porecki was named in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and became the 88th Wallabies captain after Will Skelton was injured, leading the side in three of their four pool matches in France. Injury ruled out Porecki for the entire 2024 season, but he fought his way back to the international stage to start for the Wallabies in their first Test this year against 21st and final appearance in the Wallaby gold was against the Lions in Melbourne, with a cut to his heel at training forcing him out of last Saturday night's series finale."To wear the Wallaby gold and Waratahs blue was a dream of mine as a boy growing up in Manly and to be able to say I did both is something I'm incredibly proud of," Porecki said in a statement from the Waratahs."Rugby has given me so much to be thankful for and has been such a massive part of my life for so long but it feels like the right time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter." Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt paid tribute to the outgoing rake. "Porky is the ultimate professional and quiet achiever," he said. "He doesn't say a lot, preferring to get on with the job and to lead by example, and he's done that really well for the time that I've known him."Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said: 'It's a sad day when any when any player retires."I have worked closely with Porky for a number of years and have huge respect for him, with what he brings on field with his qualities at set piece, physicality, and toughness," McKellar said."He's never been the biggest hooker going around. He's always played well above his weight."Off field, he's a true family man and genuinely good bloke. He'll be sadly missed throughout the walls of the Waratahs."
