Wallabies looking for some magic against Scotland with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii recalled to the starting line-up and Harry Potter debuted

The Wallabies are relying on some wizardry in the backline, handing a debut to winger Harry Potter and returning Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the starting line-up for the Scotland Test match.

The Wallabies will be hoping to continue their hot form in the cold, with Suaalii set for his biggest exam yet in gold as he returns to start at outside center for the third leg of their grand slam bid for the British islands on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

In a side with six changes from the one that crushed Wales last Sunday, Schmidt will also be hoping for a touch of magic from Potter, the English-born back who will become Wallaby No.989 in the city where his fictional namesake was invented.

Harry Potter admits he was stunned by the magical moment he was told: ‘You’re a Wallaby, Harry…’

The British-born Australian back, the player with the most enchanted name in rugby, revealed on Friday how he felt it was a huge honor to be handed his Wallabies debut.

But on his first tour with the national team, the 26-year-old admitted it came as a surprise when he was removed from coach Joe Schmidt’s sorting hat to make his bow against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been recalled to the starting line-up in his third match for the Wallabies on the Spring Tour

The Wallabies will be hoping winger Harry Potter can provide some magic on his debut

“It was nice to get into the squad, but getting into the team is actually something else,” admitted Western Force flyer Potter, the 18th different player to get a debut for the Wallabies in 2024.

‘But I wanted to get started with it. I am very happy to have this opportunity and am grateful that the coaches gave me that opportunity.

‘I was honestly quite shocked. Obviously the team is doing very well and there is good continuity, so it’s a huge honor to get that (selection announcement) at the team meeting. Yes, it’s a bit of a shock, and I’m looking forward to it.’

Potter, who made his name in Britain at Leicester City, has always, inevitably, had to put up with the puns about his name, yet it somehow felt fitting that his first cap would be won in Edinburgh, the city where JK Rowling wrote the books about his fictional namesake.

Over the years, the London-born player, who moved to Melbourne as a child and then returned to England to really launch his professional rugby career, has returned all jokes with patient goodwill.

“It’s a good challenge for journalists to see if they can come up with a unique or original Harry Potter pun,” he noted after originally being selected for the selection.

“It’s been 26 years, so it’s kind of funny, I guess. And yes, tip my hat if you come up with something original.’

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been forced to make six changes to his squad ahead of their clash against Scotland

There was nothing original about his teammate James Slipper nicknamed him ‘Wizard’, but now Potter really has the chance to live up to that moniker if he takes the left wing spot.

Reflecting on his emergence on Friday, Potter thought he had enjoyed the best of both rugby worlds while playing in England before returning to Australia.

‘My view of rugby has probably changed quite a bit. I learned so much in Europe about how rugby is different here. “It’s definitely more of a test match style of rugby, with a lot of set pieces, a lot of territory and a kicking focus,” he said.

“Then when we go back to Australia, Super Rugby is exciting, with a lot of attacking focus and full backs in possession of the ball. So I’ve enjoyed it, and done a bit more of that at club level, and hopefully the Wallabies can bring a bit of that to Murrayfield.

‘I’m very grateful that I got the opportunity I did in Britain, and it worked out well for me, but I wanted to come back to Australia, partly because I wanted to play for the Western Force, but largely because I can ‘Don’t play for the Wallabies unless you play rugby in Australia.

“I’m so grateful I was able to make that debut – fingers crossed, in two more days.”