Ten months after wearing the No.10 jersey against Wales in Cardiff, Ben Donaldson is set to return to the Wallabies’ side to take on the Red Dragons on Saturday night at AAMI Park.
A debut also beckons for Queensland Reds rake Josh Nasser, the son of former Wallabies back-rower Brendan, who is set to come off the bench.
The duo are expected to be two of three changes to Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad, with Charlie Cale in line for a promotion to the starting side a week after debuting off the bench, as revealed by The Roar on Wednesday.
His inclusion in the starting side is expected ahead of Liam Wright – the least experienced Wallaby to captain Australia since Ken Catchpole – who left the field midway through the second half in last week’s 25-16 first-up win over Wales in Sydney.
In his place, it’s understood James Slipper will once again lead the Wallabies 12 months after Eddie Jones named him co-captain alongside Michael Hooper for the start of The Rugby Championship.
After wearing the No.10 jersey against Wales in their World Cup pool loss at Parc Olympique on September 24, Ben Donaldson is set to return to the Wallabies. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
Despite the captaincy merry-go-round, which has seen seven Wallaby captains in 11 Tests, Schmidt wasn’t prepared to let the cat out of the bag on the radio on Wednesday, saying he was keen to find out more about the leadership inside the Wallabies group.
“To be determined because… we’re looking under the hood,” he said on SEN.
“We’re just seeing how we best put a team together and what the leadership looks like of that team and how we play. And I guess we’ll find out a lot in this three-match series.
“So one down, two to go. And Melbourne on Saturday night will give us another indication of some of the leadership that we’ve noticed in the first Test, flowing through into the second Test and beyond.”
The Roar understands that Donaldson, who started in all four World Cup fixtures last year, will come into the Wallabies squad for one-cap playmaker Tom Lynagh.
Lynagh threw the pass to free up Tom Wright ahead of the fullback’s match-turning individual try and slotted a crucial two points from the sideline in his cameo last weekend.
But it’s understood the son of Wallabies legend, Michael, suffered a hamstring injury at training this week.
That has opened the door for Donaldson to fill the role of Noah Lolesio’s deputy.
Nasser is believed to be coming onto the bench for Billy Pollard.
It will continue the 25-year-old’s inspiring journey, having been plagued by several injuries in recent years including a devastating ankle setback.
“There were moments there [when I thought the Wallabies dream was over],” Nasser told The Roar in Brisbane last month.
“I had a pretty nasty injury sort of a couple of years ago now. It was tough to come back from those points last year.
“I didn’t play much footy, but there were points where I thought, is this ever going to sort of come good? Thankfully, [with] the [help of the] medical staff at the Reds, it did.
“I played all 15 games this year, so that was a big goal of mine at the start of the year to look after my body, and I think I’m still standing here now, so I’m feeling pretty good.”
Josh Nasser (2nd left) is expected to be named in the Wallabies’ team to take on Wales in Melbourne. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Nasser was a nervous young man last month when he received the good news that he had been selected in Schmidt’s maiden extended Wallabies squad.
He was sitting with his mother when the email came through.
It wasn’t long before his father, who played alongside Lynagh, told him to get on the blower.
“When he found out the news, he was actually on the blower [with Michael Lynagh], so they were all pretty fired up,” Nasser said.
“He’s been pretty excited for me … and just keen for me to get into it.”
He added: “It’s been a goal of mine for my whole life, ever since I started playing rugby as a young kid to make a Wallabies squad but then get the opportunity to play [would be something else].
“The work begins now, but, yeah, very thrilled.”
Schmidt’s Wallabies squad will be confirmed at midday (AEST).