The Albany Gazette - Wallabies plan to throw everything at Fiji, says skipper Wilson

The last time the two sides met, the Pacific Islanders pulled off a stunning 22-15 upset during Australia's torturous 2023 World Cup campaign under head coach Eddie Jones.

It marked a low point in Australian rugby and led to Jones's exit and Joe Schmidt taking over.

With the clash in Newcastle on Sunday being the Wallabies only warm-up before the first Lions Test in Brisbane on July 19, Wilson wants to avoid another embarrassing slip-up.

"We're going out there to win," said the No.8. "The last time we played Fiji two years ago we had a tough loss there and it's such a massive battle.

"Obviously we've been keeping our eyes on the Lions, watching the Super clubs versus them, but for us a Test match against Fiji, it doesn't get much bigger than that.

"So we'll be throwing everything at them to make sure we go out there and get the result."

Hooker David Porecki was captain during the loss to Fiji and will be making his first start for Australia since the World Cup after being sidelined for most of 2024 with an Achilles injury.

He was keen to shut down chat about the Lions, focusing on one game at a time.

"My head space is that Fiji don't care that there's a Lions series going on," he told reporters.

"The most important thing for us is to perform. We've got a Test match ahead on Sunday. That's the most important thing for me."

Wilson said the team was quietly confident, feeling they had "a lot of growth" last year.

"We really want to expand from there and just keep putting out performances we're proud of," he added.

They go into the match without flanker Rob Valetini, lock Will Skelton and scrum-half Jake Gordon, who are all widely expected to start against the Lions if they can shake off niggling injuries.

Their absence has opened the door to Langi Gleeson, Porecki and Tate McDermott to make starts and stake their claims to be in the matchday XV for the first Lions Test.

(D.Lewis--TAG)