The Albany Gazette - McReight to captain Wallabies against Springboks

McReight takes over the leadership of the Wallabies after regular captain Harry Wilson was injured after scoring two tries during his team’s upset 38-22 win over the Springboks in Johannesburg last Saturday.

Rob Valetini will replace Wilson at eighthman in one of three injury-enforced changes.

Uncapped Corey Toole will start on the left wing in place of Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a broken jaw during last week’s victory, while Tom Robertson will scrum down at loosehead prop because veteran James Slipper has returned home under head injury protocols.

Coach Joe Schmidt said the Wallabies expected a tough match against the world champion Springboks, who on Tuesday announced 10 changes to their starting team after the Johannesburg defeat.

“The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical Test match on the highveld last week,” said Schmidt.

“We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend and we know that we have to improve leading into what is likely to be a bruising encounter,” said Schmidt, referring to a blistering start by the Springboks, who led 22-0 in Johannesburg before the Wallabies stormed back.

The Wallabies will be seeking a third successive win after beating the British and Irish Lions 22-12 in Sydney on August 2 before travelling to South Africa.

Team (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Corey Toole; James O’Connor, Nic White; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight (captain), Tom Hooper; Will Skelton, Nick Frost; Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson.

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Tane Edmed, Andrew Kellaway.

(A.Johnson--TAG)