Major stars missing in Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies side for Lions opener
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made a series of surprising selection calls ahead of the Lions Series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Finn Morton
17 Jul 2025, 11:30
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Contributors
Finn Morton
@FinnMorton5
Finn Morton is a RugbyPass journalist based in Australia who spends his weeks covering all things Wallabies, All Blacks, Super Rugby and Sevens. While rugby is his passion, Finn has also written for other publications including Fox Sports Australia and The Courier Mail.
‘We had to move on’: McDermott on key Wallabies selection for Lions Test
Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott would back Tom Lynagh to step up as a key game-driver this weekend against the British & Irish L…
Finn Morton
15 Jul 2025, 14:54
‘Can’t afford to listen’: McDermott on Wallabies’ Fiji win and Lions focus
Tate McDermott insists that this month’s dramatic 21-18 win over Fiji was “a step in the right direction” for the Wallabies.
Finn Morton
15 Jul 2025, 13:25
Wallaby Angus Blyth switches maroon for sky blue with Waratahs move
Four-Test Wallaby Angus Blyth has swapped Queensland maroon for sky blue, signing with the NSW Waratahs.
Finn Morton
15 Jul 2025, 9:19
Will Skelton embraces Wallabies’ underdog tag ahead of Lions opener
Will Skelton and the Wallabies are embracing the underdog tag ahead of their three-Test series against the highly-favoured British…
Finn Morton
14 Jul 2025, 14:00
Full First Nations & Pasifika XV squad named for historic Lions clash
Rugby Australia has unveiled the full First Nations & Pasifika XV squad ahead of next Tuesday’s historic clash with the British …
Finn Morton
14 Jul 2025, 13:28
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii responds to Henry Pollock’s bold 3-nil claim
Rugby Australia's multi-million dollar man Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has responded to Henry Pollock's bold warning shot.
Finn Morton
14 Jul 2025, 11:52
Interview
‘One more goal’: Former All Black Laumape reignites Test dream with Tonga
AUNZ centre Ngani Laumape still wants to play for Tonga, five years on from his last Test for the All Blacks.
Finn Morton
14 Jul 2025, 8:13
Reds centre headlines Australia U20 side for fifth-place semi-final
Dre Pakeho hasn’t played for the Australia U20 at the World Rugby U20 Championship yet, but that will change in the early hours …
Finn Morton
14 Jul 2025, 6:31
‘He’s Test-ready’: Havili sees value in O’Connor and Farrell’s returns
Crusaders captain David Havili believes a “battle-hardened” James O’Connor is ready to make a difference in the Wallabies en…
Finn Morton
13 Jul 2025, 11:11
‘Complete backing of the guys’: Kiss calls for AUNZ XV concept to continue
Coach Les Kiss has backed the AUNZ Invitational XV concept to return despite a disastrous 48-nil defeat to the British & Irish Lio…
Finn Morton
13 Jul 2025, 7:55
Opinion
AUNZ XV player ratings vs British & Irish Lions | 2025 Lions series
The AUNZ Invitational XV failed to click on Saturday evening, lacking cohesion as they were beaten convincingly by the British & I…
Finn Morton
12 Jul 2025, 19:54
‘I was double checking’: O’Connor ‘rattled’ by last-minute Wallabies recall
James O’Connor found out that he had been named in the Wallabies squad for the Lions Series about an hour before everyone else d…
Finn Morton
11 Jul 2025, 13:45
Joe Schmidt explains James O’Connor's Wallabies recall for Lions
Joe Schmidt has highlighted the importance of James O’Connor’s experience after the playmaker was named in the squad to take o…
Finn Morton
11 Jul 2025, 13:04
James O’Connor replaces Noah Lolesio as Wallabies name squad for Lions
James O'Connor has been named in the Wallabies squad to take on the British & Irish Lions, replacing Noah Lolesio.
Finn Morton
11 Jul 2025, 11:45
‘Not Barbarians for us’: Why AUNZ are ‘laser-focused’ for Lions clash
Assistant coach Simon Cron insists the AUNZ Invitational XV are “laser-focused” ahead of their clash with the British & Irish …
Finn Morton
11 Jul 2025, 11:24
Stephen Larkham on Brumbies’ efforts to shut Finn Russell down
Legendary Wallabies fly-half Stephen Larkham believes Finn Russell is only going to get better while on tour with the British & Ir…
Finn Morton
10 Jul 2025, 13:58
Legendary Wallaby weighs in on the ‘options’ to replace Noah Lolesio
With Wallaby Noah Lolesio set to miss the Test series against the British & Irish Lions, ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has we…
Finn Morton
10 Jul 2025, 12:33
Havili and Salakaia-Loto to co-captain star-studded AUNZ XV against Lions
Crusaders captain David Havili and Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will share leadership duties this weekend for the AUNZ Invi…
Finn Morton
10 Jul 2025, 12:26
17-year-old set for historic Wallaroos debut against Black Ferns
Teenage sensation Waiaria Ellis will become the second-youngest debutant in Wallaroos history, named to take on the Black Ferns.
Finn Morton
10 Jul 2025, 11:13