Australia make five changes for first Argentina test
Harry Wilson was named Australia captain Friday as Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt made five positional changes ahead of the team's Rugby Championship match with Argentina.
New Zealander Schmidt made three switches among the forwards and two in the backs to face Los Pumas in La Plata on Saturday, from the side beaten 30-12 by South Africa in Perth a fortnight ago.
TEAM LIST vs. Los Pumas 🦘
— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 29, 2024
🗓️ Sunday 1st Sept | 8:00am AEST
🏟️ Estadio Uno, La Plata
📺 @stansportau#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/8vcibJkGZU
Schmidt expects the passionate crowd at La Plata stadium near Buenos Aires to get behind Argentina.
"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," Schmidt added in a statement.
Wilson, who made his debut in 2020, becomes the 90th captain of the Wallabies, taking over from prop Allan Alaalatoa, who drops to the bench.
Wilson will combine with loose forwards Rob Valetini and Carlo Tizzano in an unchanged backrow.
After missing the back-to-back defeats to South Africa, Taniela Tupou returns to the front row at tighthead prop for Alaalatoa.
Hooker Matt Faessler comes in for Josh Nasser, who joins Alaalatoa on the bench.
Lock Nick Frost takes the place of Angus Blyth alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second row.
Scrumhalf Jake Gordon takes over from Nic White to partner Noah Lolesio at half-back. Uncapped Reds centre Hamish Stewart replaces Hunter Paisami alongside Len Ikitau in midfield.
Hosts Argentina will be looking to build on their shock win over New Zealand in Wellington earlier this month before losing their second game against the All Blacks in Auckland.
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has named an experienced Pumas side with Julian Montoya captaining the team at hooker.
Argentina (15-1)
Juan Mallia; Santiago Cordero, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou; Juan Martin Gonzalez, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera; Pedro Rubiolo, Franco Molina; Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (captain), Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Mayco Vivas, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Santiago Grondona, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Tomas Albornoz
Australia (15-1):
Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hamish Stewart, Marika Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (captain), Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Frost; Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Angus Bell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen
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