Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions: Nic White starts in final Test match for Australia
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made four changes to the starting 15 who had their hearts broken last week in Melbourne, as the Lions scored in the final minute to claim a 29-26 win, and secure the series.
Follow the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia on ABC Sport, including live blogs of all three Tests against the Wallabies.
White announced on Thursday morning that he will bring an end to his professional rugby career at the end of 2025, and said his Test career would conclude following the Lions' series.
"Rugby has given me so much to be grateful for. I've made some incredible memories, some lifelong friendships and had the opportunity to see the world," White said in a statement.
"There's been great competition for the nine jersey here in the Wallabies for a number of years, and it feels like the right time to pass on the baton with some more good young players coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what's going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027."
White will replace Jake Gordon, who started the previous two Test matches. Queenslander Tate McDermott will be the scrum half replacement off the bench, after being a makeshift winger for 60 minutes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground following Harry Potter's hamstring injury.
Dylan Pietsch will start on the left wing for the Wallabies in place of Potter.
Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa and flanker Rob Valetini have been ruled out of the third Test match with injury.
Taniela Tupou, who impressed for the First Nations-Pasifika XV last week against the Lions, will start at tighthead prop.
Tom Hooper will replace Valentin at blindside flanker, the third player to wear the number six jersey this series.
Schmidt said the squad had recovered after the disappointment of last weekend's narrow defeat.
"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," he said.
"The support in Brisbane and Melbourne helped to lift the squad, and I know the support this weekend in [Stadium Australia], will again help to lift the players in the high-pressure moments that we know are coming."
The Wallabies will have a bench consisting of five forwards and three backs. The Wallabies' gamble to have just two back replacements backfired last week following the early injury to Potter.
Andrew Kellaway returns to the side on the bench, while Zane Nonggorr comes into the side as a replacement prop.
Calro Tizzano, who was the Wallaby at the centre of the controversial ruck prior to the Lions scoring the match-winner in Melbourne, is not in the match-day team.
James Slipper, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (captain), Nic White, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright. Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.
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