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Veteran playmaker called up for Wallabies-Lions clash
Melissa Woods, AAP • July 11th, 2025 4:00 pm
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has unveiled his squad to tackle the Lions, calling on experience after injury saw playmaker Noah Lolesio ruled out | Photo: AAP
James O'Connor has returned to the Wallabies fold almost three years after his last Test with the veteran flyhalf included in the squad to face the British and Irish Lions.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt opted to inject some experience in his 36-man squad following injury to his first-choice playmaker Noah Lolesio.
O'Connor, who started at 10 in all three matches of the 2013 losing Lions series, played the last of his 64 Tests for Australia in 2022 when they suffered a heavy loss to Argentina.
Veteran flyhalf James O'Connor puts boot to ball during his last Wallabies appearance in 2022 | Photo: Jono Searle/AAP
The inclusion of 35-year-old O'Connor, who was part of the Crusaders' Super Rugby Pacific-winning line-up, is one of only two changes from Australia's squad that faced Fiji.
Queensland's Melbourne-born lock Josh Canham, who made his Test debut last year, is also a new face, replacing Western Force forward Darcy Swain.
With the Wallabies having a week to prepare for the first Test in Brisbane on July 19, Schmidt hasn't named a captain.
With 20 forwards and 16 backs, there are two uncapped players in ACT Brumbies speedster Corey Toole and Western Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny included in the squad.
Record-holder for most Wallabies appearances James Slipper (144) is also set to join retired Test great George Smith in playing for Australia in two successive British and Irish Lions series.
Brumbies flyer Corey Toole trains and is one of two uncapped players named in the Wallabies squad | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Injured forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, who were both unavailable for Australia's 21-18 win over Fiji last weekend due to calf injuries, were included.
Prop Taniela Tupou has retained his spot after appearing on the outer when he was sent back to be a part of the NSW Waratahs pack that took on the Lions.
Veteran scrumhalf Nic White will finally get a chance to play a Test against the tourists after injury ruled him out of the 2013 series while playmaker Tom Lynagh can follow in the footsteps of his father Michael, who pulled on the gold jersey against the 1989 Lions outfit.
Schmidt admitted there were some tough decisions made in narrowing down his squad.
Schmidt admitted there were some tough decisions made in narrowing down his squad.
"As Wallabies coaches, we have tried to balance continuity with form and freshness, but there were some very tight calls," Schmidt said.
"We're conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so for those selected in the squad, they'll be competing for Test jerseys, while also trying to help others prepare.
"We need to improve our accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first Test here in eight days."
Wallabies squad to face the Lions:
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.
Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright.
