Joe Schmidt might have brought back a sense of calmness to the Wallabies in 2024, but the New Zealander didn’t mind casting the net wide to see what gems he could find either.

By year’s end, the softly spoken Kiwi had handed debuts to 19 players – the most since 1958.

Schmidt will name his first Test squad in Sydney on Thursday at 1pm to face Fiji on July 6 in Newcastle, before fronting the media later that afternoon. The Test falls less than a fortnight before the Lions opener in Brisbane.

Will Schmidt slow his appetite in search of greatness?

In the short term, probably, given the high-stakes nature of the upcoming Lions series, but come The Rugby Championship, it’s more than likely that Schmidt won’t hesitate to give opportunities to players, especially with several players heading overseas and a World Cup a little more than two years away.

So, who might some of the new faces be in 2025?

Corey Toole –

The Brumbies speedster delivered a timely reminder of his potency last weekend, scoring twice during their semifinal defeat across the ditch, including one try that went viral.

After showing his poise by expertly touching down out wide from a Jack Debreczeni crossfield kick in the first half, Toole wen full Jonah Lomu mode early in the second half by bumping away Damian McKenzie and sprinting down the left-hand touchline to score his second.

The two-try effort took his tally to 11 five-pointers across the season.

Toole was included in Schmidt’s squad at stages throughout 2024, but was looked past on several occasions.

Instead, Schmidt increasingly turned to Dylan Pietsch and Harry Potter, who are both bigger bodies and strong in the air, over Toole’s pace.

But might the scales have been tipped in 2025?

Nick Champion de Crespigny –

Hardened by years in France, the Canberra-raised, Sydney University product thrived in his first season of Super Rugby with the Force.

Unlike most new forwards into Super Rugby who take years to develop and show consistency, Champion de Crespigny showed he was a fully-fledged professional throughout his debut season in the competition.

Rock hard, the Force back-rower never took a backward step.

He made 189 tackles from 206 (92%) and carried on 82 occasions for 159 metres in tight.

Nick Champion de Crespigny has a strong Super Rugby debut season for the Force. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

What separates Champion de Crespigny though is he plays with a physical edge few else in Australian rugby have.

While the back-row is arguably Australia’s strongest positional group, don’t be surprised if Champion de Crespigny finds himself in a squad throughout the year.

Ryan Lonergan –

After knocking on the international door for years, surely it’s only a matter of time before Lonergan gets a crack for the Wallabies.

The 27-year-old just enjoyed his most consistent year yet for the Brumbies, where his core roles – pass and kick – were outstanding and his decision-making top notch. Lonergan also probed the line more than in recent years, often trying to force the issue.

A leader of the Brumbies for years, Lonergan’s time could come after the Lions, especially if Nic White is moved on past the tournament. But he will want to get in quick and make a mark because Teddy Wilson, who picked up a foot injury last week, is on the rise.

Lonergan’s Achilles heel is still his defense, with the Brumbies No.9 tackling at 68 per cent in 2025.  

Aidan Ross –

A grizzly bear, Ross will play his 101st – and last – match for the Chiefs in this weekend’s Super Rugby final, before returning to Australia to join the Reds.

Gosford-raised, the one-Test All Black is eligible for the Wallabies in early July.

Given he’s been a staple of one of the most consistent New Zealand sides for years, it won’t surprise anyone if he’s already being considered for the Wallabies. After all, he’s got a national top-up.

While a call-up against Fiji won’t occur, could he take on the Lions? It’s definitely possible, especially if he has a strong outing for the Reds in early July.

Chiefs prop Aidan Ross will move to the Reds at season’s end. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

He’s also a strong candidate for the AUNZ Invitational clash at Adelaide Oval.

Ross’ soon-to-be front-row teammate Massimo De Lutiis is another who will be in the mix for a Test call-up later in the season.

Ollie Sapsford –

He might not be a regular starter for the Brumbies, but that doesn’t mean Sapsford won’t be in the Wallabies mix.

The versatile back can cover every position from flyhalf to fullback, but it’s his fine work in the midfield and on the wing that will have Wallabies selections interested in the New Zealand-born back.

Good in the air, Sapsford’s a bigger body who runs straight and defends well. He’s also lowered his error count in 2025.

His rise at the Brumbies comes after he played for Australia A in 2024.

The other factor in Sapsford’s favour is his combination with his Brumbies teammates.