Australia team v Argentina: Joe Schmidt springs a captaincy surprise as 15th Wallaby makes their debut in 2024
Wallabies number eight Harry Wilson on the charge against the Springboks.
Wallabies number eight Harry Wilson will become Australia’s 90th captain when they take on Argentina in their Rugby Championship Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
Head coach Joe Schmidt has made five changes to his starting line-up with Allan Alaalatoa, who led the team in their previous match against South Africa, dropping to the replacements bench which gives Wilson the opportunity to captain the side.
The ‘Tongan Thor’ returns
Tighthead prop Alaalatoa is replaced in the run-on side by the ‘Tongan Thor’ Taniela Tupou, who will return to action after taking some time off following the death of his father earlier this month.
The other changes in the forwards sees Matt Faessler replacing Josh Nasser at hooker while Nick Frost comes in for Angus Blyth in the second-row.
Meanwhile, in the backline, Hamish Stewart is set to make his Wallabies debut as he takes over from the injured Hunter Paisami at inside centre and Jake Gordon is preferred to Nic White at scrum-half. Stewart becomes the 15th player to make their debut this year, the highest such number for Australia in the professional era.
Wilson is joined in the back-row by Rob Valetini and Carlo Tizzano while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto starts alongside Frost in the second-row and Angus Bell will pack down with Tupou and Faessler in the front-row.
The rest of the backline has a familiar look with Noah Lolesio continuing at fly-half and Len Ikitau forms a midfield combination with Stewart. Elsewhere, Tom Wright retains his spot at full-back as do Andrew Kellaway and Marika Koroibete, who are the two wings.
On the bench, Alaalatoa, Isaac Kailea and Nasser are the front-row replacements while Jeremy Williams and Langi Gleeson are back from injury to complete the forward cover.
Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson and Max Jorgensen will be the backline replacements.
“The players have bounced back from the travel and time difference since arriving in Buenos Aires, with today’s training being our most energetic,” Schmidt said in a statement.
“For us, we know the Argentinians will enjoy vocal home support but we’ve also had plenty of encouragement from back in Australia, which we have appreciated and will try to justify.”
Wallabies team v Argentina
Wallabies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen
Date: Saturday, August 31
Venue: Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 19:00 local (23:00 BST, 22:00 GMT, 08:00 AEST Sunday, September 1)
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
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