A new era in Australian rugby is afoot under new coach Joe Schmidt, who has been given the task of reviving the Wallabies after a shocking 2023 under Eddie Jones.

He has stamped his authority on the job early on, naming 13 uncapped players in his squad for the July Tests, with seven of them being named in the lineup for the first Test against Wales on July 6.

Schmidt has also named a new captain ahead of the Tests, with the choice perhaps being something of a surprise.

The Sporting News looks at who has been named captain for the Wallabies.

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Who is the new Wallabies captain?

The new Wallabies captain for the clash against Wales is Tom Wright, who currently plays in the Super Rugby for the Queensland Reds.

The back-rower will become the 89th captain of Australia, as well as the seventh captain in the last 12 months, and his appointment in the role has raised eyebrows.

Wright has only played five Tests in green and gold, the last of these coming in 2020, meaning he is an intriguing choice for captain as Australia looks to rebuild.

He does have experience captaining at club level, and it also could be seen as a statement of intent from Joe Schmidt, who is trying to revolutionise the set-up after a disastrous 2023.

Only three players who were part of the side who lost 40-6 to Wales in the World Cup have been named to play in Sydney.

Wallabies team list for Test against Wales

Josh Flook and Jeremy Williams will make their debuts for the Wallabies as starters against Wales, with four more set to make their international bows from the bench; one of these is Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies royalty Michael Lynagh.

Noah Lolesio will be trusted to steer the team around the park in attack, with James Fisher set to make his 135th appearances for the Wallabies.

1. James Slipper
2. Matt Faessler
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Jeremy Williams
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Liam Wright (C)
7. Fraser McReight
8. Rob Valenti
9. Jake Gordon
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Filipo Daugunu
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Josh Flook
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Tom Wright
16. Billy Pollard
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Allan Alaalatoa
19. Angus Blyth
20. Charlie Cale
21. Tate McDermott
22. Tom Lynagh
23. Dylan Pietsch

How to watch Australia vs Wales: TV channel and live stream

Fans will be able to watch both Wallabies vs Wales Tests on free-to-air via Channel Nine, as well as the company’s streaming platform 9Now.

Stan Sport will also be offering all of the Wales Tests as well as every other Wallabies match to stream live and on demand without ad-breaks during play.

Watch every match of the Rugby Internationals ad-free, live & on demand, with Wallabies at home in 4K UHD on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.

Wallabies 38 man squad for July Tests

New coach Joe Schmidt has already named his 38-man squad for the July Tests – the Wallabies also face a match against Georgia – and there are some notable absentees.

Rob Leota and David Porecki are recovering from injuries and haven’t been named, whilst Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase were both omitted from the squad, with the pair securing early releases from their Rugby Australia contracts to join the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans and Sydney Roosters respectively.

The Wallabies squad contains 13 uncapped players, including Alex Hodgman, who previously represented the All Blacks.

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