Latest news with #AllanAlaalatoa
France 24
2 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Wallabies' White out of short-lived retirement for South Africa Tests
The 35-year-old called time on his international career ahead of the final British and Irish Lions Test last weekend, which he started and was instrumental in helping Australia stun the tourists 22-12. But with an injury to Jake Gordon he has agreed to keep going, joining Tate McDermott and the uncapped Ryan Lonergan as coach Joe Schmidt's options at number nine. The gruelling three-Test series, won by the Lions 2-1 proved costly, with several injury-related absences for back-to-back Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town on August 16 and 23 respectively. They include prop Allan Alaalatoa, playmaker Tom Lynagh and wing Harry Potter, while hooker David Porecki announced his retirement this week. Lonergan is one of three uncapped players selected, alongside winger Corey Toole and new Queensland Reds recruit, the former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross. Reds trio Josh Flook, Josh Nasser and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are the remaining three new faces from the squad that took on the Lions. "It's pleasing to be able to keep the core of the group together, while also leaning on some depth and fresh bodies," said Schmidt. "We're very conscious of how difficult it is going to be, playing South Africa on their home turf over two consecutive weekends. "The group has made some positive steps throughout the start of the Test season but we all know there is a lot of hard work ahead of us." Forwards: Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson Backs: Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wallabies lose key figure to injury in blow ahead of third Lions Test
Australia prop Allan Alaalatoa has been ruled out of the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in a major blow for the Wallabies. The vastly experienced tighthead had started the first two games of the three-match series but will miss the final encounter at Sydney's Accor Stadium this weekend. Alaalatoa was taken off at half time of the second Test at the MCG having sustained a shoulder injury that will prevent his participation in the third encounter. Wing Harry Potter also looks set to miss the match after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend. Prop Aidan Ross, capped once by the All Blacks in 2022 but now eligible for the land of his birth, has been summoned to the Australia squad in Sydney and could press for a Wallabies debut in Alaalatoa's absence. Tom Robertson has provided back-up to Alaalatoa off the bench so far in the series, while Taniela Tupou and Zane Nonggorr will also hope to come into consideration having been unused by Joe Schmidt thus far. The Wallabies trail 2-0 and will be playing for only pride on Saturday, but lock Nick Frost says the side are ready to use their 'fire in the belly' to prevent the tourists completing a clean sweep. 'Any game you play, especially for your country, any Test match is big to get up for. So we're really looking forward to the weekend," Frost said. "There's a bit of fire in the belly from the last couple of games, and you're playing in Sydney, for a lot of the boys, that's [their] hometown. You're playing for your nation, playing for your family first and foremost too."
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wallabies lose key figure to injury in blow ahead of third Lions Test
Australia prop Allan Alaalatoa has been ruled out of the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in a major blow for the Wallabies. The vastly experienced tighthead had started the first two games of the three-match series but will miss the final encounter at Sydney's Accor Stadium this weekend. Alaalatoa was taken off at half time of the second Test at the MCG having sustained a shoulder injury that will prevent his participation in the third encounter. Wing Harry Potter also looks set to miss the match after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend. Prop Aidan Ross, capped once by the All Blacks in 2022 but now eligible for the land of his birth, has been summoned to the Australia squad in Sydney and could press for a Wallabies debut in Alaalatoa's absence. Tom Robertson has provided back-up to Alaalatoa off the bench so far in the series, while Taniela Tupou and Zane Nonggorr will also hope to come into consideration having been unused by Joe Schmidt thus far. The Wallabies trail 2-0 and will be playing for only pride on Saturday, but lock Nick Frost says the side are ready to use their 'fire in the belly' to prevent the tourists completing a clean sweep. 'Any game you play, especially for your country, any Test match is big to get up for. So we're really looking forward to the weekend," Frost said. "There's a bit of fire in the belly from the last couple of games, and you're playing in Sydney, for a lot of the boys, that's [their] hometown. You're playing for your nation, playing for your family first and foremost too."
France 24
31-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
White and Tupou to start for Wallabies in third Lions Test
White replaces Jake Gordon for his 73rd and last Test after announcing his retirement from the international game following the clash in Sydney on Saturday. He is one of two changes among the backs with Dylan Pietsch in for left wing Harry Potter, who pulled a hamstring in their epic 29-26 second Test defeat in Melbourne last weekend, where they blew an 18-point lead. Valetini was also injured in the match, failing to return for the second half after a calf injury that kept him out of the 27-19 first Test defeat in Brisbane flared up again. His absence is another setback for Australia with first-choice tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa already ruled out with a shoulder problem. Tom Hooper comes in for Valetini, linking up with Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson in the loose forward trio, while Tupou replaces Alaalatoa to partner fellow prop James Slipper and hooker David Porecki. Nick Frost and Will Skelton retain their spots as the locks. The starting XV is otherwise unchanged for the dead-rubber Test, which culminates the Lions' nine-match Australia tour. White will link up with Tom Lynagh in the halves, with the 22-year-old given another chance to grow in the No.10 jersey after being thrust into the role this month. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are again selected as the midfield pairing for the sixth straight Test, with Max Jorgensen on the other wing and Tom Wright at fullback. With the series already lost, Australia are playing for pride, desperate to prevent a whitewash by Andy Farrell's dominant side. "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," said Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. "The support in Brisbane and Melbourne helped to lift the squad, and I know the support this weekend in Sydney will again help to lift the players in the high-pressure moments that we know are coming." Australia (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Tom Lynagh, Nic White; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper; Will Skelton, Nick Frost; Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, James Slipper
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wallabies lose veteran prop Alaalatoa for third Lions Test
Veteran Australia prop Allan Alaalatoa was ruled out of the third British and Irish Lions Test Tuesday, the Wallabies' second injury blow in as many days. Alaalatoa hurt his shoulder during last week's crushing last-minute 29-26 defeat in the second Test at Melbourne, not returning after half-time as the Lions clinched the series 2-0. His absence explains the call-up on Monday of former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross, who has linked up with the Wallabies for the first time. It is more likely, however, that Tom Robertson, who came off the bench in the first two Tests, or Taniela Tupou will start in the front row on Saturday in Sydney. "He's a massive part of the group," forward Jeremy Williams said of Alaalatoa. "We just wish him the best in his recovery and hopefully he'll be back out there soon." Williams had praise for Ross, who was born in Australia before moving to New Zealand as a child, playing one Test for the All Blacks in 2022 before switching allegiances this year. The 29-year-old was a long-time Waikato Chiefs player but he will play for Queensland Reds from next season. "He's a great bloke and he trains really hard," said Williams. "He's been in a few different systems now so I'm sure he's going to add a lot of value to the group." Wing Harry Potter has also been ruled out injured, with coach Joe Schmidt having several options to replace him, including Dylan Pietsch, Filipo Daugunu and Corey Toole. Australia head into the game desperate to avoid a whitewash, after losing the opening Test in Brisbane 27-19. Lock Nick Frost said the team were hungry for another shot at Andy Farrell's men after their disappointment at losing in Melbourne to Hugo Keenan's controversial late try. "There's a bit of fire in the belly from the last couple of games, and you're playing in Sydney, for a lot of the boys, that's (their) hometown," he said. "You're playing for your nation, playing for your family first and foremost too." mp/dh
