Jorgensen and Suaalii start for Wallabies with Bell also named on return to Australia

Thu, Jul 2, 2026, 2:42 AM
Waratahs
by Waratahs

Three Waratahs have been selected for the Wallabies' first Test of the year against Ireland at a sold-out Allianz Stadium on Saturday night (8pm kick-off).

Angus Bell returns from sabbatical in Belfast to start at loosehead prop against a number of his Ulster teammates. While Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen will line up alongside each other in the backs.

Bell completes a front-row that includes hooker Josh Nasser and the highly experienced Allan Alaalatoa. Suaalii will reconnect with 2026 John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau in the midfield – the 14th time they’ve started together in the Wallabies' last 19 Tests. 

The 21-year-old Jorgensen will link with Jock Campbell, who last played for the Wallabies in their 2022 win over Wales in Cardiff and Dylan Pietsch in the back three.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The group has reconnected quickly and we’ve worked hard over the past week to prepare as best we can for what is an exciting challenge against the number three team in World Rugby.   “Kicking off 2026 at a sold-out Allianz Stadium gives the group a huge lift and we are fully focused on earning every bit of that home crowd support on Saturday.”

Wallabies team to play Ireland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday July 4 at 8:00pm AEST 

1. Angus Bell (50 Tests) - #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club 

2. Josh Nasser (11 Tests) - #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (88 Tests) - #896; West Harbour Juniors

4. Jeremy Williams (25 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers 

5. Josh Canham (2 Tests) - #987; Harlequin Rugby Club

6. Rob Valetini (62 Tests) - #929; Harlequin Rugby Club

7. Fraser McReight (39 Tests) - #937; Albany Creek Brumbies 

8. Harry Wilson (c) (36 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils 

9. Ryan Lonergan (5 Tests) - #993; Tuggeranong Vikings

10. Carter Gordon (9 Tests) - #967; Sunshine Coast Grammar School

11. Dylan Pietsch (9 Tests) - #978; Leeton Phantoms 

12. Len Ikitau (50 Tests) - #944; Tuggeranong Vikings  

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (18 Tests) - #988; The Kings School 

14. Max Jorgensen (20 Tests) - #984; Balmain Wolves 

15. Jock Campbell (4 Tests) - #959; Inverell Highlanders

Substitutes:

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (25 Tests) - #918; Southern Districts

17. James Slipper (151 Tests) - #843; Bond Pirates

18. Taniela Tupou (68 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby

19. Lachlan Shaw* - uncapped; Ipswich Rangers

20. Tom Hooper (22 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs

21. Tate McDermott (50 Tests) - #936; Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (19 Tests) - #962; Clovelly Eagles

23. Tom Wright (43 Tests) - #939; Clovelly Eagles

2026 Wallabies Fixtures Wallabies vs Ireland, 8:00pm AEST on Saturday July 4 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies vs France, 5:30pm AEST on Saturday July 11 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies vs Italy, 6:00pm AWST on Saturday July 18 at HBF Park, Perth

Wallabies vs Japan, Saturday August 8 at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka

Wallabies vs Japan, 3:00pm AEST on Saturday August 15 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Wallabies vs Argentina 5:00am AEST on Sunday August 30 at Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy

Wallabies vs Argentina, 5:00am AEST on Sunday September 6 at Estádio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza

Wallabies vs South Africa, 5:30pm AWST on Sunday September 27 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies vs New Zealand, 3:10pm AEST on Saturday October 10 at Eden Park, Auckland

Wallabies vs New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST on Saturday October 17 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies vs England, 2:10am AEDT on Monday November 9 at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London

Wallabies vs Scotland, 2:10am AEDT on Monday November 16 at Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Wallabies vs Wales, 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 22, Principality Stadium, Cardiff Nations Championships Finals Weekend, Weekend starting November 27

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