The Wallabies have brought back two star players to reinforce their forward pack with muscle.
Melbourne-born Rob Valetini and 32-Test player Will Skelton have been named in the Wallabies starting side for the second Test against the British and Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Skelton will replace Jeremy Williams, who will move to the bench.
Valentini comes in for Nick Champion de Crespigny, who has not retained his spot in the match-day team.
The Wallabies must win in Melbourne to keep the series alive after the Lions’ 27-19 triumph in Brisbane last Saturday.
Harry Wilson will captain the Wallabies in Melbourne, just as he did in the first Test in Brisbane.
Despite Australia struggling to mount an attack for most of the match, coach Joe Schmidt has named an unchanged backline for Saturday’s second Test.
“The squad has recovered well after a very physical first Test and the week’s preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together,” Schmidt said.
“We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we’ll need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night.”
Harry Wilson will lead the Wallabies during the second Test against the British and Irish Lions. (AAP: Darren England)
David Porecki is another change to the starting side, coming in at hooker in place of Matt Faessler.
Faessler will not be in the match-day team, with Billy Pollard retaining his spot on the bench as the substitute hooker.
Coach Schmidt has elected to have six forwards and two backs on the bench, a change to the five forwards, three backs split for the first Test.
Langi Gleeson has come in as an extra forward, while outside back Andrew Kellaway has been left out of the team for the second Test.
Meanwhile, the British and Irish Lions have made three changes to their team for the MCG clash.
Englishman Ollie Chessum comes in at starting lock, replacing Ireland’s Joe McCarthy, who injured his foot in the first Test.
Melbourne-born centre Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out with hamstring tightness. Bundee Aki has been elevated from the bench to join Huw Jones in the centres.
Andrew Porter will start at loosehead prop, with Ellis Genge moving to the bench.
England’s Owen Farrell, Scotland’s Blair Knighorn, and Wales’s Jac Morgan have been added to the bench.
“We have put ourselves in a good position after the first Test, but we know there will be a massive reaction from this Wallaby team,” Lions coach Andy Farrewll said.
“Everyone saw the quality they have in Brisbane and we know we will have to be a lot better than we were last week.
“The opportunity to play in front of 100,000 supporters at the MCG, one of the world’s most iconic stadiums, is what makes Lions Tours unique and special.”
Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions, second Test teams
| Australia Wallabies | British and Irish Lions | |
|---|---|---|
| James Slipper | 1. Loosehead Prop | Andrew Porter |
| David Porecki | 2. Hooker | Dan Sheehan |
| Allan Alaalatoa | 3. Tighthead Prop | Tadhg Furlong |
| Nick Frost | 4. Lock | Maro Itoje (captain) |
| Jeremy Williams | 5. Lock | Ollie Chessum |
| Rob Valetini | 6. Blindside Flanker | Tadhg Beirne |
| Fraser McReight | 7. Openside Flanker | Tom Curry |
| Harry Wilson (captain) | 8. Number Eight | Jack Conan |
| Jake Gordon | 9. Scrumhalf | Jamison Gibson-Park |
| Tom Lynagh | 10. Fly-half | Finn Russell |
| Harry Potter | 11. Left Winger | James Lowe |
| Len Ikitau | 12. Inside Centre | Bundee Aki |
| Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii | 13. Outside Centre | Huw Jones |
| Max Jorgensen | 14. Right Winger | Tommy Freeman |
| Tom Wright | 15. Fullback | Hugo Keenan |
| Billy Pollard | 16. Reserve | Ronan Kelleher |
| Angus Bell | 17. Reserve | Ellis Genge |
| Tom Robertson | 18. Reserve | Will Stuart |
| Jeremy Williams | 19. Reserve | James Ryan |
| Langi Gleeson | 20. Reserve | James Ryan |
| Carlo Tizzano | 21. Reserve | Alex Mitchell |
| Tate McDermott | 22. Reserve | Owen Farrell |
| Ben Donaldson | 23. Reserve | Blair Kinghorn |
| Joe Schmidt | Head coach | Andy Farrell |
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