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Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.au
The Wallabies will be without powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou for their Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in front of a sell-out crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Rugby Australia on Wednesday morning confirmed the ticket allocation had been exhausted for the Test against the two-time reigning world champions, which will be played in an afternoon timeslot that has seemingly resonated with fans.
But those making their way down Caxton St. this weekend won’t get to see Tupou in action, with the tighthead, who last week confirmed his move to the Waratahs for 2025, set to be left out of the matchday 23.
While mystery surrounds his omission at this point, it is believed it is not related to injury and is instead a separate off-field personal matter. Allan Alaalatoa will therefore retain his place in the No. 3 jersey from Australia’s win over Georgia, the Brumbies veteran also likely to again be named captain.
Alaalatoa will be joined in the front-row by Isaac Kailea, ESPN understands, with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt poised to resist rushing back Angus Bell or reverting to the vastly-experienced James Slipper.
Kailea came off the bench in both of the Wallabies’ wins over Wales, before he earned a start in the closing victory over Georgia in Sydney, capping a meteoric rise for a player who was virtually unknown outside the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels at the start of the year.
Meanwhile, Western Force breakaway Carlo Tizzano is set to win his first Test cap with the 24-year-old having edged Luke Reimer to replace the injured Fraser McReight in the No. 7 jersey.
The West Australian enjoyed his finest Super Rugby season to date this year, having returned home to Perth after stints in Sydney with the Waratahs and in the English Championship with Ealing Trailfinders.
Tizzano is set to start in the back-row alongside No. 8 Harry Wilson and reigning John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini.
The Wallabies will welcome back Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second-row, with the Queensland Reds-bound lock to pack down alongside Nick Frost.
In the backs, Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio are set to reform the halves partnership that started in the back-to-back wins over Wales, while Marika Koroibete will have to wait at least another week to play his first Test of the year after returning from Japan.
Schmidt is poised to bring Andrew Kellaway back into the starting XV alongside Tom Wright and Filipo Daugunu, the Fijian having served his ban following a red card in the win over Georgia.
The Springboks on Tuesday night named an imposing run-on XV for Saturday’s clash, though coach Rassie Erasmus did spring one surprise with the selection of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ahead of veteran Handre Pollard at No. 10.