A month out from the Wallabies' July series opener against Ireland, the selection debate around Joe Schmidt's squad is already simmering — sharpened by an injury blow at halfback, a clutch of form players demanding recognition, and the surprise prospect of a veteran playmaker returning to the international fold.
The most immediate complication is at scrum-half. Jake Gordon, Schmidt's preferred No. 9, underwent surgery this week on a ruptured Achilles tendon and will take no part in the July internationals. It is the second Achilles rupture to strike a senior Wallaby this year, following Will Skelton's at La Rochelle, and it robs the side of its most settled option at the base of the ruck just as the Test season looms.
Speaking on ESPN's Scrum Reset, journalists Sam Bruce and Christy Doran agreed the door now swings open for Brumbies general Ryan Lonergan. Both rated him a natural organiser who can run a game and take over goal-kicking duties — a profile they argued suits an Australian side that needs to start winning in front of big home crowds rather than relying on a flashier impact player off the bench.
Their predicted matchday 23 also leaned on form over reputation in the back three. Both tipped in-form Reds fullback Jock Campbell to start at No. 15 ahead of Tom Wright, who is still rebuilding from a major injury. Bruce argued that rewarding the competition's standout fullback would both honour his season and send a message, pointing to Fabien Galthie's willingness to drop established names before the Six Nations as a precedent for keeping fringe players honest deep into a World Cup cycle. Carter Gordon was the consensus pick at fly-half, with the pair noting the value of building a 10-15 axis between Gordon and Campbell.
For all the attacking intrigue, both flagged the same overriding worry: Australia's set piece. The lineout and aerial restart work across the Super Rugby Pacific franchises has been patchy all season, and with quality touring packs lining up, Bruce and Doran warned that the Wallabies cannot afford to leak ball in those areas against a sharp Ireland.
The most intriguing subplot, though, is Bernard Foley. The 36-year-old, who has just reached a Japan Rugby League One final with Kobelco Kobe Steelers, is being linked with a return to the Waratahs — and the panel suggested that if he signs in the coming weeks, even a wider Wallabies squad role should be on the table. The case, as they framed it, is less about Foley starting and more about the experience and on-field calm a veteran playmaker brings to a young group. They recalled that Australia were short of exactly that kind of "grey hair" in their playmaking spine at the 2023 World Cup, and noted that Ireland leaned on a 38-year-old Johnny Sexton at the same tournament. Foley would turn 37 in September.
Schmidt is expected to name his squad around the week of the Super Rugby Pacific final, with the picture partly dependent on how far the Reds and Brumbies go in the qualifying finals. The Wallabies open their campaign against Ireland at Allianz Stadium in early July, with Les Kiss in line to take over the head-coaching reins for the longer run towards the 2027 home World Cup.
Whatever Schmidt lands on, the early signs point to a selector willing to reward form — and perhaps to make room for one last chapter from an old hand.
