Australia squad: Wallabies’ injury crisis worsens, Joe Schmidt recalls forgotten stars to ease front-row issues
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has named his 35-man squad for the two upcoming Test matches against Argentina.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has named his 35-man squad for the two upcoming Tests against Argentina in the Rugby Championship.
Australia head to Argentina, where they will face off against Los Pumas in back-to-back Test matches in La Plata and Santa Fe, respectively.
Following successive defeats, the Wallabies head to South America searching for their first win of the tournament and have been dealt further injury blows, with Filipo Daugunu and Hunter Paisami ruled out.
Wallabies squad for Argentina tour
Included in Schmidt’s 35-man squad are four uncapped players including Hamish Stewart and Corey Toole with the Wallabies boss also calling up Western Force lock Josh Canham and Brumbies centre David Feliaui.
Faeliuai comes into the side following the injury to Paisami while Canham boosts the lock options in the squad with Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost both fit to travel despite missing the second Test against the Springboks.
Also receiving a recall to the squad is hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa who replaces Billy Pollard. Paenga-Amosa returns to the Test set-up following his three-year stint with French club Montpellier. He has signed to return to Australia ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, joining the Western Force.
The hooker is joined in the squad by his new clubmate Tom Robertson who has also earned a recall.
Robertson and Paenga-Amosa’s recalls could be with a view of sorting the Wallabies’ issues in the front-row where they struggled to get parity in the scrum against the Springboks – particularly in the first Test. Taniela Tupou’s return from compassionate leave and Angus Bell’s fitness is also a huge boost for the Wallabies.
Waratahs back-rower Langi Gleeson has returned from his ankle injury and will make the trip to Buenos Aires along with new debutants Max Jorgensen and Carlo Tizzano.
The tour is set to mark a significant milestone for prop James Slipper who will become the most capped Wallaby of all time if he plays both Tests. He currently sits just one match shy of George Gregan’s record of 139 matches for Australia.
“It’s been a challenging couple of weeks but as a coaching group we are keen to continue trying to help a mostly consistent group go forward,” head coach Schmidt said.
“The Pumas have a talented and robust squad, which, along with the travel, will require further improvement from our squad.”
Despite the boost of Paenga-Amosa and several players returning from injury, Schmidt is still contending with a long list of injured players which has now grown to 12.
Australia’s squad for the two Tests against Argentina
Forwards (19): Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Angus Blyth, Josh Canham, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Josh Nasser, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs (16): Ben Donaldson, David Feliuai, Josh Flook, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright
Unavailable for selection: Kurtley Beale, Charlie Cale, Filipo Daugunu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Bayley Kuenzle, Rob Leota, Lachlan Lonergan, Fraser McReight, Hunter Paisami, David Porecki, Blake Schoupp, Liam Wright
Former Wallabies star scores sensational try on rugby league debut
Wallabies Rugby Championship fixtures and results:
Australia 7-33 South Africa
Australia 12-30 South Africa
Argentina v Australia
Date: Saturday, 31 August
Venue: Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, Buenos Aires
Local kick-off: 16:00
GMT kick-off: 19:00
NZL kick-off: 7:00 (Sunday, 1 September)
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 5:00 (Sunday, 1 September)
RSA kick-off: 21:00
ARG kick-off: 16:00
Argentina v Australia
Date: Saturday, 7 September
Venue: Brigadier Estanislao Lopez Stadium, Santa Fe
Local kick-off: 16:00
GMT kick-off: 19:00
NZL kick-off: 7:00 (Sunday, 8 September)
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 5:00 (Sunday, 8 September)
RSA kick-off: 21:00
ARG kick-off: 16:00
Australia v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 21 September
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Local kick-off: 15:55
GMT kick-off: 5:55
NZL kick-off: 17:55
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 15:55
RSA kick-off: 7:55
ARG kick-off: 2:55
New Zealand v Australia
Date: Saturday, 28 September
Venue: SKY Stadium, Wellington
Local kick-off: 19:05
GMT kick-off: 7:05
NZL kick-off: 19:05
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 17:05
RSA kick-off: 9:05
ARG kick-off: 4:05
