Wallabies coach Les Kiss has made wholesale changes to his forward pack for Saturday’s clash with Argentina in Jujuy, with Allan Alaalatoa taking over as captain.
Kiss has retained the same backline that started Australia’s 56-17 victory over Japan in Townsville, but has changed all eight forwards as he continues to rotate his squad. Regular captain Harry Wilson has been rested for the Test.
Australia head into the clash on the back of successive wins over Japan, which included a narrow 35-32 win in Osaka.
Kiss said managing the demands of a long season while giving players Test experience had influenced his selection.
“As coaches, we’ve needed to consider how we manage a long season for players while also providing Test experience in important positions,” he said.
“At the same time, we’ve selected a team that has lots of experience and proven combinations for what’s going to be another tough challenge, taking on Argentina on their home turf – we’ll need to be at our best.”
Rob Valetini moves into the No 8 jersey in Wilson’s absence, while Tom Hooper returns from a shoulder injury at blindside flank and Fraser McReight comes back on the openside.
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Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams form the second-row pairing, while the experienced Alaalatoa starts at tighthead alongside Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Isaac Kailea.
Kailea is set to make his first Test appearance since 2024.
There is continuity at halfback, with Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon combining for a second consecutive Test, while Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry retain their midfield partnership.
Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright also remain together in the back three for a fourth consecutive Test.
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Australia can climb above Argentina into seventh place in the world rankings with victory on Saturday.
WALLABIES – 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Isaac Kailea.
Bench: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph Suaalii.
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The post Alaalatoa leads Wallabies against Los Pumas appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Wallabies coach Les Kiss has made wholesale changes to his forward pack for Saturday’s clash with Argentina in Jujuy, with Allan Alaalatoa taking over as captain.
The post Alaalatoa leads Wallabies against Los Pumas appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
