Joe Schmidt will spring another selection surprise for Saturday’s series finale against the Lions, with Nic White firming to return to the No.9 jersey for his 73rd – and potentially – last Test.

The Roar understands that the Western Force veteran is set to be joined in the starting side by his Super Rugby teammate Dylan Pietsch in one of two changes to the backline.

But the surprising tactical change in the halves is likely to be met with a couple of forced changes up front, with Rob Valetini to join Allan Alaalatoa on the sidelines just a week after his stunning return in Melbourne. It’s believed Tom Hooper, the Exeter-bound versatile forward, could return to the side to replace Valetini.

While Taniela Tupou – the Racing 92-bound prop, who remains the Wallabies’ most expensive forward – is also firming for his first minutes in the gold jersey this year after Alaalatoa’s shoulder injury forced Schmidt’s hand.

After being the Wallabies’ best in the first half against the Lions in Melbourne, Rob Valetini will miss the third Test in Sydney. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

The changes come as the Wallabies attempt to deny the Lions a clean sweep on Australian shores – a feat that hasn’t been achieved since 1904.

But the injuries to Alaalatoa and Valetini, who were both replaced at half-time during the 29-26 last-minute defeat at the MCG, won’t help.

Indeed, the absence of the duo helped the Lions overrun Schmidt’s side as the Wallabies blew their biggest lead (18) in more than a century.

Although Jake Gordon looms as the desperately unlucky man to make way for White after scoring in the first half, the heartbreak on the faces of the Wallabies in Melbourne could, in part, explain the veteran halfback’s return.

One of the chirpiest men in world rugby, White is seen as a genuine galvaniser by the Wallabies hierarchy, and they believe the 35-year-old could prove to be the spark required to pick Schmidt’s shattered men up off the canvas. Gordon was also forced to play 80 minutes just weeks after returning from his second leg injury of the year.

The Test could also prove to be White’s swansong from the international arena, with informed sources telling The Roar that the halfback’s contribution to the game in Australia has been celebrated in recent days.

Nic White will wear the No.9 jersey against the British and Irish Lions in what shapes as the halfback’s final Test. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

It’s unlikely that James O’Connor will be afforded the same opportunity to bow out on top.

Instead, it’s understood that White will once again link up with Tom Lynagh in the halves, with the 22-year-old given another chance to grow in the No.10 jersey after being thrust into the role earlier this month.

Thrust into the main playing role following Noah Lolesio’s devastating injury against Fiji, the flyhalf candidly revealed that it was hardly ideal preparation that he made his starting debut against the Lions in Brisbane a fortnight ago, but added that the difficult assignment was made easier by having the trust of Schmidt.

“Yeah, having experience before the Lions series would have been great, but I didn’t get the opportunity to do so,” Lynagh told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon.

“I guess we’ll never find out but, like I said, take it one week at a time.

“It’s been good. Being selected as 10 just tells you everything you need to know, really – that he’s got trust and belief in you.

“So that’s all I’ve taken from it, really. He’s always had that confidence in me ever since I joined the camp for the first time last year.

“It’s been really good and he’s been really positive around everything.”

Nic White and Joe Schmidt ahead of the second Lions Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26, 2025. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

With Lolesio heading to Japan, Lynagh now has the chance to make the No.10 jersey his own in the lead up to the 2027 World Cup.

But the Reds playmaker, who has followed in his father’s footsteps 36 years after Michael starred against the Lions in 1989, added that he didn’t have a mortgage on the jersey despite his composed start to his international career.

“(I want) more time in that seat,” Lynagh said. “You get a lot more time on the field so you can dictate the game a lot more. When you come off the bench, you’ve got to understand what role you’ve got to play and how the game is at that point.

“But the jersey’s only yours for the week if you’re selected. You’ve just got to go out there and do your job and do your role and put a performance in.

“Look, I think I’ve done all right. I’m a bit disappointed in my goalkicking so far. I feel like that’s let myself and the team down a bit.

“But in terms of the rest of it, it’s been good. Just playing part of the system and just trying to do my role for the team and not overplay my hand.”

The Wallabies will name their squad on Thursday.