Force captain Williams makes Wallabies debut against Wales

Western Force captain and Wahroonga Tigers junior Jeremy Williams will make his Test debut against Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old Williams will be a regular starter in the Wallabies’ starting XV to open the international season.

The debut is the latest chapter in the rise of Williams, who took over as Force manager ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby season.

The 195cm second rower joined the Force at the end of 2022 and played 14 games in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, finishing in the competition’s top three for line-outs.

Williams also impressed off the field, winning the Force Man Award in his debut season, which saw him promoted to captain.

The Wallaroos will play Fiji at Allianz Stadium ahead of the match from 2:45pm WST. Michaela Leonard will start with Trilleen Pomare on the bench.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad have been working hard over the past week to prepare as best we can for what will be an incredibly tough Test match against Wales.”

Watch all the action on 9GEM and Stan Sport. Every Wallabies test will be streamed ad-free, live and on-demand in 4K UHD.

WALLABIES TEAM LIST

1. James Slipper (134 tests) – Bond Pirates

2. Matt Faessler (5 tests) – USQ Saints

3. Taniela Tupou (50 tests) – Brothers Rugby

4. Jeremy Williams* – Wahroonga Tigers

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (30 Tests) – Randwick

6. Liam Wright (c) (5 Tests) – Easts Tigers

7. Fraser McReight (17 tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Rob Valetini (39 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

9. Jake Gordon (20 tests) – Canterbury Berries

10. Noah Lolesio (17 tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Filipo Daugunu (7 tests) – Wests Bulldogs

12. Hunter Paisami (24 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

13. Josh Flook* – Brothers Rugby

14. Andrew Kellaway (26 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (25 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Reserves

16. Billy Pollard (1 Test) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club

17. Isaac Kailea** – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

18. Allan Alaalatoa (67 tests) – West Harbour Juniors

19. Angus Blyth** – Casuarina Beach Rugby Club

20. Charlie Cale** – Beecroft Junior Rugby Club

21. Tate McDermott (28 Tests) – Flinders Rugby

22. Tom Lynagh** – University of Queensland

23. Dylan Pietsch** – Leeton Phantoms

*means debut

**indicates potential debut

WALLAROOS TEAM LIST

1. Brianna Hoy (Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 6 caps

2. Tania Naden (Uni-North Owls) – 13 caps

3. Eva Karpani (Onkaparinga) – 24 international matches

4. Kaitlan Leaney (CSU Marlins) – 18 caps

5. Michaela Leonard (c) (Tuggeranong Vikings) – 25 caps

6. Atasi Lafai (Campbelltown Harlequins) – 12 caps

7. Leilani Nathan (Hamilton Hawks) – 5 caps

8. Piper Duck (Tumut Bullettes) – 13 caps

9. Layne Morgan (Merewether Carlton) – 22 caps

10. Arabella McKenzie (Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 24 caps

11. Desiree Miller (Eastern Suburbs) – 5 caps

12. Cecilia Smith (Leeton Dianas) – 13 international matches

13. Georgina Friedrichs (Wests Bulldogs) – 22 caps

14. Biola Dawa* (Wagga Reddies) – debut

15. Lori Cramer (University of Queensland) – 21 caps

Reserves

16. Tiarna Molloy (Inverell Highlanders) – 1 cap

17. Allana Sikimeti* (North Eagles) – debut

18. Bridie O’Gorman (University of Sydney) – 20 caps

19. Siokapesi Palu (Rockdale Rangers) – 9 caps

20. Lydia Kavoa* (Eastern Suburbs) – debut

21. Natalie Wright* (Wests Bulldogs) – debut

22. Trilleen Pomare (Wanneroo) – 27 caps

23. Faitala Moleka (Blacktown Scorpions) – 9 caps

* Indicates debutant