Wallabies team: Les Kiss names new captain for Argentina examination as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii handed fresh role
Allan Alaalatoa takes over from Harry Wilson as Wallabies skipper.
Isaac Kailea will play his first Test since 2024 after being named in the Wallabies’ starting line-up for their clash with Argentina in Salvador de Jujuy on Saturday.
The 26-year-old forms a starting front-row alongside hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and tighthead Allan Alaalatoa who will captain the side for the seventh time, with regular skipper Harry Wilson rotated out of the matchday 23.
Two-time John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini will start in the number eight jersey, with Tom Hooper selected at blindside flanker, while Fraser McReight returns to the starting team on the opposite side of the scrum.
Same half-backs
Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams will reignite their second-row partnership, while the half-back pairing of Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon will combine for the second consecutive Test.
There’s also continuity in the midfield combination, with Reds pair Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry to line up in the centres after a strong outing during the Wallabies‘ win over Japan in Townsville.
The back three remains unchanged for a fourth consecutive Test with Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen on the wings and Tom Wright at full-back.
Billy Pollard has been named as the replacement hooker, having made his Test debut in Argentina back in 2022. He’ll work alongside Wallaby 1,000 Massimo De Lutiis and the experienced Angus Bell in the substitute front-row.
Brumbies pair Lachlan Shaw and Charlie Cale will play their first Tests away from home as the substitute second and back-rower respectively providing them with further Test experience.
Tate McDermott will notch his 56th appearance in gold as the replacement scrum-half, while Ben Donaldson provides versatility across the backline – as does Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii who finalises the matchday 23.
Wallabies head coach Les Kiss said: “As coaches we’ve needed to consider how we manage a long season for players while also providing Test experience in important positions.
“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.”
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Wallabies team to play Argentina
Australia: 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
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Venue: Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy
Kick-off: 16:00 (local, Argentina) 20:00 (UK and Ireland), 21:00 (South Africa), 05:00 (Sunday, AEST), 07:00 (Sunday, New Zealand), 03:00 (Sunday, Japan)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
