31-07-2025
No let-up as Lions put out strongest side for final Australia Test
Taniela 'Tongan Thor' Tupou brings his considerable bulk into the front row in Alaalatoa's place for his first appearance of the series.
White's inclusion at scrumhalf for Jake Gordon was not enforced but gives the 35-year-old a chance to win a 73rd cap before standing down from Test rugby, a decision he announced earlier on Thursday.
'Whitey's got such huge respect inside the squad that it seemed a fitting way for him to finish,' said Schmidt.
'And I'm not a sentimentalist, it's a Test match, and you pick people who are capable of playing that Test match, and we believe that Nick is.'
Schmidt has reverted to a 5-3 split in favour of the forwards on the bench, bringing outside back Andrew Kellaway back into the matchday squad for flanker Carlo Tizzano. Teams
Australia: 15 — Tom Wright, 14 — Max Jorgensen, 13 — Joseph Suaalii, 12 — Len Ikitau, 11 — Dylan Pietsch, 10 — Tom Lynagh, 9 — Nic White, 8 — Harry Wilson, 7 — Fraser McReight, 6 — Tom Hooper, 5 — Will Skelton, 4 — Nick Frost, 3 — Taniela Tupou, 2 — David 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.
B&I Lions : 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, 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.
Reuters
