Imagine the thrill of stepping onto the rugby pitch as captain of your national team after dreaming about it for years—now picture that dream becoming reality for Nick Champion de Crespigny, who just a year ago returned to Australian rugby hoping for a Wallabies jersey. But here's where it gets controversial: Joe Schmidt has shaken things up dramatically, making 13 changes to the starting lineup for the match against Japan, potentially risking a major upset in Tokyo. It's a bold move that could pay off in the long run or backfire spectacularly—let's dive into the details and see why this selection is sparking so much debate.
Just 12 months back, Nick Champion de Crespigny, a 29-year-old Canberra-born flanker, came back to the sport with aspirations of donning the Wallabies colors. Having now featured in two international tests, including a memorable clash with the British and Irish Lions, he's been entrusted with the captaincy for this fixture against Eddie Jones's Brave Blossoms. This comes after Schmidt overhauled his team from the side that suffered a 28-14 defeat to the All Blacks in Perth just earlier this month. Only two players from that second Bledisloe Cup loss—halfbacks Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed—have kept their positions, showing how extensive the changes truly are.
Schmidt seems to be sticking to his word from pre-tour discussions, where he emphasized using a broader player pool to combat 'fatigue' during this demanding five-test end-of-year tour. As we learned on Wednesday, several star names like Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Taniela Tupou, Fraser McReight, and Allan Alaalatoa have been sidelined. (For context, you can check out this link for more on why they're rested: https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/10/22/suaalii-jorgo-rested-the-wallabies-are-set-for-a-makeover-against-japan-and-its-set-to-be-eddies-biggest-friend/.) This rotation strategy aims to keep energy levels high, but it raises eyebrows— is it smart to bench key players for a team like Japan, or could it be a strategic blunder?
In his statement on Thursday before the press conference, Schmidt shared his thoughts: 'It felt wonderful to reunite the group in Sydney last week and bring in some fresh faces. The squad has adjusted well to Tokyo, and everyone understands the challenge the Brave Blossoms present. They play with intensity and speed, making them extremely difficult to overcome, particularly on their home turf.' He's right to acknowledge Japan's strength; for beginners in rugby, think of them as a team that combines discipline with explosive plays, much like how a well-coordinated underdog can surprise favorites in any sport.
This revamped Wallabies team features a completely new forward pack, with Angus Bell getting a rare opportunity to start as loose-head prop. He'll team up with Queensland's Josh Nasser and Zane Nonggorr in the front row, while Jeremy Williams and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto anchor the second row—Nick Frost is taking a break. In the back row, Champion de Crespigny is partnered with his Western Force colleague Carlo Tizzano, and Rob Valetini takes the No.8 spot over usual captain Harry Wilson. This setup hints at preparations for their upcoming battle against England at Twickenham, where versatility will be key.
Up in the backs, Tane Edmed gets his third start at flyhalf (that's the position responsible for kicking and directing play, like a quarterback in football), linking up with his former NSW Waratahs mate Jake Gordon at scrum-half. Edmed, who's heading to the Brumbies, might play a full 80 minutes, with Carter Gordon unsurprisingly absent and Hamish Stewart ready as cover at flyhalf and inside center from the bench. The midfield sees Reds pair Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook stepping in, filling the gap left by Len Ikitau (now at Exeter) and Suaalii's rest after a grueling start to the year. Fullback Andrew Kellaway is back after a calf issue, bringing experience to the outside backs, flanked by wings Dylan Pietsch and Corey Toole.
The substitutes blend veterans with newcomers: with Tupou and Alaalatoa protected, Tom Robertson covers tight-head prop, and Aidan Ross could become the fifth player to represent both the Wallabies and All Blacks. Reds lock Josh Canham is poised for his first action this season, given Frost's rest and Will Skelton's absence due to international commitments. Harry Wilson provides back-row depth, while Brumbies scrum-half Ryan Lonergan joins Stewart and versatile Filipo Daugunu on the bench.
Australia has never tasted defeat against Japan, but Eddie Jones probably senses an opening for a historic win thanks to Schmidt's extensive changes. Former Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie weighed in last week: 'The selections might be the biggest gift to Eddie. It seems like they're rotating players, which could favor Japan by introducing unfamiliar combinations and missing some of their top threats. While they're eyeing England, that might be a misstep—Japan has impressed in the Pacific Cup, so Australia should be cautious. The conditions are ripe for an exciting match, and I doubt their players will struggle, but it's a setup that could lead to surprises.'
The showdown kicks off at 4:40pm AEDT on Saturday in Tokyo. Wallabies lineup (1-15): Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Corey Toole, Andrew Kellaway. Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Tom Robertson, Josh Canham, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu.
And this is the part most people miss: Is Schmidt's approach a masterstroke for long-term squad health, or is he underestimating Japan's grit? Could resting stars like Suaalii actually weaken Australia's chances in a tight game? Do you think this rotation will pay dividends, or might it lead to an embarrassing loss? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with McKenzie's take, or see it differently? Let's discuss!
