The key questions that will be answered on Friday will be whether Will Skelton starts in the second-row or comes from the bench, and whether Zane Nonggorr or Tom Robertson takes the role of back-up tighthead to Allan Alaalatoa. The choice between Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano and Tom Hooper for reserve loose forward will also be interesing.

Despite speculation there could be a change of captain, Wilson is set to keep the role for the Fiji Test, at least.

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Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight said on Monday the habit of Schmidt not naming a captain when announcing a squad was not a huge issue.

“I don’t think too many boys are worried, to be honest,” McReight said.

“Obviously, there’s a leadership group, and there’s full of experience in this team. There’s plenty. We’ve got something like six Wallaby captains in this group and so many captains at Super Rugby, so there’s plenty of leadership to lean on.”

Selection to play against Fiji will give players the upper-hand as far as consideration to play against the Lions in the first Test in Brisbane, although the players released have the welcome ability to play against the Lions in a Super Rugby side and storm back in contention – as Dylan Pietsch did in Perth.

However, the Lions series is not the players’ focus in their Newcastle camp, said McReight.

“It’s just all focused about Fiji. It’s tough to say about the Lions … There are so many moving parts, with Super Rugby clubs needing more (players) and everything going on like that,” he said.

“That’s the coach’s decision. We’re just trying to do our best to stay present and get through each training day. We work hard with each other and push each other really well. So I think that’s the depth of the squad is that we’ve got a lot of competition in every position. It’s got to be quite fierce at times.”

McReight said the Wallabies are aiming to pick up with where they left things on the Spring Tour, and evolve into a stronger side.

“It’s just building on what we finished with last year, and all of last year. Those are the key fundamentals,” he said.

“Hopefully, obviously, now year two under Joe, we can build a stronger base and be a bit more clinical. Same sort of people around the group, so connection’s going to be there. So hopefully, yeah, you can see some more attacking rugby, people more integrated.”

All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.