Townsville:
Australian Governor Harry Wilson was declared suitable for the Thursday for the Argentine Rugby Championship, while Andrew Kellaway took the nod to fill the shoes of injured wing Tom Wright.
Wilson played a leading role in Wallabies 38-22’s victory over South African world champions in Johannesburg last month, scoring two attempts before losing their loss in Cape Town with knee.
But he returns for Saturday’s clash on Townsville against Pumas’s side high after their stunning All Blacks 29-23 in Buenos Aires, the first time they hit New Zealand at the ground home.
With Wilson back to No.8, Rob Valetini shifts to Blindides Flanker with Fraser McREight continuing to Openside.
Giant Lock Will Skelton returned to France to return to the La Rochelle club and Tom Hooper was called upon to fill the gap, working with Nick Frost.
Wright, one of the first names on the team leaf for the last two years, is out for the season with ACL injury, but Kellaway is a capable replacement, adding to his 43 tests.
Coach Joe Schmidt kept his firm mating of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen intact, but replaced veteran player James O’Connor with the young firearm Tom Lynagh who works with experienced Nic White in half.
O’Connor lost some critical kick to the 30-22 defeat at Springboks in Cape Town and is relegated to the bench.
“Players have reassembled after a few days after our two games in South Africa and worked through a very warm week here in Townsville,” Schmidt said.
“Los Pumas is a fighter and specialized side and they will be sure after their recent performances. We know we should be on the best of Saturday afternoon.”
Australia played two trials in Argentina last year, with the original side of 20-19 before crashing 67-27.
Australia (15-1): Andrew Kellaway; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Corey Tool. Tom Lynagh, Nic White? Harry Wilson (CAPT), Fraser McREight, Rob Valetini. Tom Hooper, Nick Frost? Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson
Replace: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Filipo Dauugunu
a href=”https://tribune.com.pk/story/2564997/skipper-wilson-back-as-wallabies-face-argentina-threat”>Source link
