Schmidt recalls retired Slipper and names three Super Rugby debutants in first Wallabies squad of 2026

Joe Schmidt has named three potential debutants in the Wallabies’ first squad of 2026, all rewarded for standout Super Rugby Pacific seasons, while 37-year-old prop James Slipper has been coaxed out of international retirement to bolster a loosehead cover shortage.

Slipper, the most-capped Wallaby in history with 151 Test appearances, returns for the July series after Schmidt admitted the decision cost him little more than a coffee. The recall was partly forced by circumstance: Tom Robertson has suffered a recurrence of calf problems, and Tom Lambert is only just back from a knee injury, leaving Australia short at loosehead prop.

“It cost me a coffee,” Schmidt said with a grin when asked how hard it was to persuade Slipper back. The coach added that the Nations Championship campaign would not necessarily be Slipper’s last in gold.

Among the uncapped trio, lock Lachie Shaw earned his call-up through sheer volume of work. “The amount of contacts he gets through in the games, the amount of kilometres that he’s chalked off during the Super Rugby season has been outstanding,” Schmidt said.

The second newcomer — referred to by Schmidt as Miles — turned 24 just days before the squad announcement. “He’s the right size and shape. He’s brought a really positive mentality to his own growth and development,” Schmidt explained, noting that the player had spent three years in France before returning to Australian rugby and had overcome a difficult start to the Super Rugby season.

The third debutant is Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith, 26, who had started just four Super Rugby games heading into 2026 but went on to start 14 of 15 matches this season after capped Wallaby Tane Edmed arrived to cover Noah Lolesio’s departure. Schmidt praised Meredith’s kicking, running game, top-end speed and aerial ability — qualities he described as increasingly vital in the modern game — while acknowledging the difficulty Meredith faced maintaining form as the Brumbies struggled for consistency.

“Those three guys, I think they came to our attention, not just this year, probably, but we’ve been tracking those guys for the last couple of years,” Schmidt said, emphasising that the squad reflects both short-term results and longer-term planning.