image description

Wallabies lose hooker Dave Porecki to injury ahead of final Lions Test

Australia are aiming to avoid a 3-0 series defeat to the touring side after narrowly losing in Brisbane and Melbourne, but have been handed yet another injury setback with experienced hooker Porecki pulling out of the match due to an injury he sustained in training.

His withdrawal means that Billy Pollard has been elevated from the bench and into the starting XV, with Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa added to the bench.

The Wallabies confirmed that Porecki suffered a heel injury in training on Thursday, while fellow hooker Matt Faessler also sustained a calf strain that ruled him out, leading to a call-up and inclusion on the bench for Paenga-Amosa.

If he does take to the field on Saturday, it will be the fourth time that Paenga-Amosa has faced the British and Irish Lions on this tour having already played against Andy Farrell's side while representing the Western Force, AUNZ Invitational XV and the First Nations and Pasifika XV.

"Obviously gutted to lose a few great players in Porecki and [Faessler]," Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told reporters.

"We've got a lot of confidence in Brandon. He's been around this group for quite a long time over the last year, year and a half.

"He's obviously versed the Lions three times, I believe so, he's got a lot of confidence and he's come into the group and he's fit in very quickly."

Updated Wallabies team - 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper

Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway

Related News

News

Australia avoid series clean sweep against British and Irish Lions after win in Sydney

  • 5 hours ago

Australia bounced back to get a consolation win in the third Test against the British and Irish Lions after a 22-14 victory in Sydney on Saturday.

News

Wallabies veteran Nic White called up to start in British and Irish Lions series finale

  • 2 days ago

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made several forced changes to his matchday 23 for the third and final Test of the British and Irish Lions Series at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

News

Australia No.9 Nic White calls time on international career

  • 2 days ago

After being named to start in the final British and Irish Lions clash on Saturday, veteran Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White confirmed 2025 would be his last season in gold.

News

Andy Farrell makes three changes to British and Irish Lions team for series swansong

  • 2 days ago

British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has revealed his team aiming to complete a series sweep against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday.