Joe Schmidt, whose Wallabies future remains up in the air past next year’s Lions tour, has launched the 2025 campaign by naming a 40-man squad to assemble in Sydney in January.
Queensland Reds’ big-lifting rookie prop Massimo De Lutiis is the only uncapped player in the cohort that will train for three days in Sydney from January 8.
It will be the only time a Wallabies squad is together before the end of the 2025 Super Rugby season – with the British and Irish Lions tour beginning in late June.
The camp will include a debrief of the 2024 Test season as well as medical and physical testing on players prior to their returns to their Super Rugby Pacific Clubs from annual leave.
The squad features 22 forwards and 18 backs, with all except De Lutiis – who is yet to play Super Rugby – having featured under Schmidt this year.
Schmidt said in a statement: “These two and a half days provide a final opportunity to look back at the 2024 season, particularly our Tests in November, then have a quick glance at the program for 2025.”
“It’s also a chance for the Wallabies performance and medical staff to facilitate testing before the players from the Spring Tour officially restart with their Super Rugby Pacific sides.
“As well as those in camp, it’s great to see a number of players coming back from injury and others who did well for the Australia XV team, who we are looking forward to watching during the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.”
There is no place for Liam Wright – the first skipper used by Schmidt earlier this year as he returns from injury.
Joe Schmidt speaks with his players ahead of The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and Australia. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Schmidt, who finished his first year in charge with a 6-7 win-loss record, is expected to make a call soon on if he will leave after his contract expires next year, or push on towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Earlier this week, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh told RugbyPass that the organisation was preparing for either scenario – a Schmidt exit or renewal.
“In line with the behavioural shift that we’ve tried to make culturally is that we do what we say we’re going to do. One thing that Joe was very clear about was that it was a journey to the British and Irish Lions Series,” Waugh said.
“Obviously, as we get closer to that Series, we need to ensure we’re prepared for what may come after that, whether that’s extension with Joe or a shift in coaching structure.
“I probably don’t want to get ahead of ourselves in terms of the decision… we’ve committed to the Lions, we’re focused on the Lions, and clearly we need to ensure that we’ve got planning on different scenarios depending on the outcome with Joe.”
Wallabies squad (Wallaby number, Super Rugby Pacific Club, first Australian Rugby club)
Forwards (22)
Allan Alaalatoa
Angus Bell
Angus Blyth
Josh Canham
Massimo De Lutiis
Matt Faessler
Nick Frost
Langi Gleeson
Isaac Kailea
Fraser McReight
Josh Nasser
Zane Nonggorr
Brandon Paenga-Amosa
Billy Pollard
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
James Slipper
Carlo Tizzano
Taniela Tupou
Seru Uru
Rob Valetini
Jeremy Williams
Harry Wilson
Backs (18)
Ben Donaldson
Tane Edmed
Josh Flook
Jake Gordon
Len Ikitau
Max Jorgensen
Andrew Kellaway
Darby Lancaster
Noah Lolesio
Tom Lynagh
Tate McDermott
Hunter Paisami
Dylan Pietsch
Harry Potter
Hamish Stewart
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Nic White
Tom Wright
Wallabies 2025 Home Tests
British & Irish Lions Tour
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
