Wallabies team vs. British & Irish Lions: Suaalii confirmed, Champion de Crespigny to debut for Australia

Contributor
Joshua Mayne
Wallabies team vs. British & Irish Lions: Suaalii confirmed, Champion de Crespigny to debut for Australia image

Australia's team for the long-awaited British and Irish Lions series opener has been confirmed.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has recovered in time from a fractured jaw and will line up in the No. 13 jersey.

History will be made when veteran James Slipper and James O'Connor join retired flanker George Smith as the only Australians to have played in two Lions series in the modern era.

Saturday night will also see Nick Champion de Crespigny make his Wallabies debut.

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Wallabies team vs. Lions – First Test

1. James Slipper
2. Matt Faessler
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Jeremy Williams
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson (c)
9. Jake Gordon
10. Tom Lynagh
11. Harry Potter
12. Len Ikitau
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
14. Max Jorgensen
15. Tom Wright

16. Billy Pollard
17. Angus Bell
18. Tom Robertson
19. Tom Hooper
20. Carlo Tizzano
21. Tate McDermott
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Andrew Kellaway

Wallabies vs. Lions kickoff time

The series opener is scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, July 19.