Declan Meredith will make his international debut for the Wallabies at flyhalf this Saturday in Brisbane, as coach Joe Schmidt navigates an injury crisis. With primary playmakers Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson sidelined by calf strains, Meredith joins a team seeking to snap a five-Test losing streak against France at Suncorp Stadium.
Joe Schmidt Struggles With the Wallabies Flyhalf Injury Crisis
The Wallabies’ selection process has been upended by a series of injuries, leading to what coach Joe Schmidt has publicly termed the curse of the 10 jersey. Following a narrow 31-33 defeat to Ireland in Sydney last weekend, both Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson were ruled out of the upcoming Nations Championship clash against France due to calf injuries. As reported by the Com, Meredith is the seventh different player to wear the No. 10 jersey for Australia in the last 17 Tests.
Schmidt considered a potential recall for Noah Lolesio, who has been playing in Japan, but ultimately determined the preparation window was too short for a player who has not been part of the current camp. Instead, the coaching staff has opted to blood the 27-year-old Meredith, who earned his call-up after a standout season with the ACT Brumbies. According to RugbyPass, Schmidt noted that the team’s progress has “fluctuated” as they have been forced to constantly replace players in the pivotal playmaking role.
Harry Wilson Endorses Declan Meredith’s Composure
Despite the high-stakes nature of a debut against the reigning Six Nations champions, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has expressed full confidence in Meredith’s composure. Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Wilson praised the Cairns native for his work ethic and “level-headed” approach to training under pressure.
“I’ve only got to know him over the last few weeks, but he seems very level-headed and he’s just really excited. We back him and we believe in him and we look forward to him putting on a great performance.”
Meredith will be supported by his club teammate Ryan Lonergan at halfback, providing a familiar pairing for the debutant. To manage the risk of further injury, fullback Jock Campbell has been named on the bench as emergency cover for the flyhalf position. As The Guardian noted, the Wallabies are under intense pressure to move beyond “gallant losses” and secure a win, having lost nine of their last ten Tests.
France Arrives at Suncorp Stadium With Top 14 Talent
The match against France represents a significant hurdle, with the visitors arriving in Brisbane with a squad bolstered by nine players returning from the Top 14 final. For the Wallabies, the challenge is compounded by a historical trend of close-margin defeats; in the last five years, Australia has lost eight Tests by three points or fewer.
The Wallabies have made strategic changes to the backline to balance experience and impact. Tom Wright returns to the starting XV at fullback, while Filipo Daugunu joins the matchday 23, marking his first appearance of the 2026 season. In the pack, Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams continue their second-row partnership, with Nick Champion de Crespigny providing forward cover from the bench in place of the injured Tom Hooper, as confirmed by Wallabies.
Dylan Pietsch Honored During NAIDOC Week Jersey Presentation
The team will also honor NAIDOC week by wearing their First Nations jersey, which features an updated design to recognize Dylan Pietsch as the 15th Indigenous Wallaby. As the team prepares for Saturday’s 5:30pm AEST kickoff, the focus remains on discipline and composure—two factors that proved costly in the loss to Ireland, where the Wallabies conceded 12 penalties. For Wilson and his squad, the goal is clear: to stop the slide toward a six-game losing streak and prove that “close enough” is no longer acceptable for the national side.
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