Joe Schmidt names new Wallabies captain and seven debutants in squad to face Wales

Tom Lynagh follows father’s footsteps in first Test.

Joe Schmidt poses for photographs outside the Rugby Australia headquarters. Pic: Max Mason-Hubers

The Wallabies have named a first-time captain and seven debutants in the squad to take on Wales in the first Test in Sydney as a new era begins under head coach Joe Schmidt. 

The raft of changes mean that only five Australians – as well as three Welsh starters – remain from the last time the sides met, when Wales thrashed the Wallabies 40-6 during last year’s Rugby World Cup.