In yet another blow ahead of Saturday’s series finale against the Lions, Joe Schmidt has been forced to send an SOS to Brandon Paenga-Amosa after losing two of his three hookers ahead of the third Test.

Days after losing key forwards Allan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini to injury, The Roar understands that Paenga-Amosa is in line to come off the bench against the Lions with first-choice hooker Dave Porecki set to be a late scratching.

Despite Porecki being named to start on Thursday, it’s believed the experienced rake, who captained the Wallabies during the 2023 World Cup on three occasions and returned to some his best form last weekend, was already ruled out of the match. It’s unclear the nature of his injury.

David Porecki will be a late scratching from the Wallabies despite being named on Thursday to take on the Lions in the third Test in Sydney. (Photo by Adam Pretty – World Rugby via Getty Images)

Joining him on the sidelines is Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who was originally selected ahead of Billy Pollard but was also ruled out after tweaking his calf throughout the week.

Now, Pollard is due to start with Paenga-Amosa to come off the bench.

Paenga-Amosa arrived at the Wallabies’ hotel in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs just after Schmidt’s team press conference was due to get underway.

The Force hooker is now due to play his fourth match against the Lions, having started against the touring team for the Force, AUNZ Invitational, and First Nations and Pasifika XV over the past five weeks.

Paenga-Amosa featured heavily under Schmidt during the second half of last year’s Test season but hitherto hasn’t been sighted during the Lions campaign after an injury-riddled 2025 Super Rugby campaign slowed his progress.

But the 29-year-old has showed some promising form in recent weeks, having helped deliver a strong set piece against the Lions in Melbourne last week.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Left) and Taniela Tupou (Right) will feature against the Lions in the third Test. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Pollard will be one of five new faces to the Wallabies’ starting side from the one that went down in heartbreaking circumstances 29-26 last weekend at the MCG.

Speaking to reporters earlier on Thursday, Schmidt said ensuring the Wallabies were in the right mindset for the series finale had proven to be a difficult task.

“Incredibly deflated group, Tuesday was tough, actually, to get them up off the canvas,” Schmidt said.

“Today, there was a little bit of an upswing, and we’ve just got to keep that momentum.

“Hopefully, they can be sharp at captain’s run tomorrow, and then springboard their way into the Test match.

“It is a challenge, because all that emotional energy, psychological energy that was expended, the way things finished, the sense of frustration, and it’s almost like a grieving process by the time they’ve gone through those first few days, and giving them time to breathe a bit, and then try to elevate the spirits and the tempo.”

The Wallabies coach added that he was hoping the new faces, including the retiring Nic White, would provide an injection of positive energy to help power them to victory.

“One of the reasons we’ve made a few changes is that when everyone’s as flat as they were, I think just bringing a few newer guys in, it just freshens things up and those guys know it’s an opportunity for them,” Schmidt said.

“I suppose it’s just a way to shift the malaise that continued for the 48 hours post-game to try to get that upswing.”