James O'Connor is the experienced general the Wallabies need to face the Lions | Angus Fontaine

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11/07/2025 17:00

Coach Joe Schmidt will hope the veteran fly-half can re-enter the fray and calm the mild panic brought on by Noah Lolesio's season-ending injury

Past masters or young guns? Faced with the biggest crossroads of his Wallabies coaching career, Joe Schmidt has had a bet each way, recalling 35-year-old fly-half James O'Connor from exile to lead a young Wallabies attack in their bid to conjure an upset victory over the British & Irish Lions in the series kicking off on 19 July in Brisbane.

The selection of O'Connor – 12 years after he was blooded against the Lions in 2013 and 1,064 days since his last international – was the headline selection in the 36-man squad. The 2025 Wallabies join 191 men over 126 years to suit up against the best from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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