Western Force captain Jeremy Williams will return to the
Wallabies starting line-up for Saturday afternoon’s sold-out Test against
Argentina in Sydney.
Williams returns to the starting second
row alongside Tom Hooper, with Nick Frost being managed due to a tight back.
West Harbour junior Tane Edmed has earned his first start
for the Wallabies, named at fly-half. He replaces Tom Lynagh who is managing a
hamstring strain.
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There are four changes to the starting side from the team’s
last-minute win in Townsville, with Queensland’s Hunter Paisami set to feature
in a gold jersey for the first time in 2025 – named at inside centre to replace
Len Ikitau who has a laceration on his knee that has failed to heal enough to
take the field on Saturday. Paisami will
partner two-try scorer Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the midfield.
All-time appearance record holder James Slipper will move
just one Test away from becoming the first player to wear the gold jersey on
150 occasions, when he runs out in the number one jersey for his 149th match
for Australia. He will combine with
hooker Billly Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the front row.
The remaining run-on side is unchanged with Rob Valetini,
Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson named to continue their combination as the
loose forward trio. Wilson will again captain the team.
Sydney pair Andrew Kellaway and Max Jorgensen will start at
fullback and wing respectively, on what is familiar turf at Allianz Stadium,
with Olympian Corey Toole set for his first Test in his home state.
Queensland duo Josh Nasser (replacement hooker) and Lukhan
Salakaia-Loto (replacement lock) have been named to play their first Tests of
2025, with Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr completing the substitute front
row. Carlo Tizzano is again the back row
cover.
The replacement backs remain the same from Townsville with
Tate McDermott and James O’Connor the substitute halves, with Filipo Daugunu
providing versatility in rounding out the matchday 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “While managing injuries
is always a challenge, we’re excited to have some fresh bodies who have been
training hard with the group for a number of weeks and are keen to contribute.
“Argentina led for the whole game in Townsville until the
very end and we’re very aware of the threat they’ll pose on Saturday afternoon.
We’ll need to be better than we were last week.”
Saturday’s game will be live on Stan Sport and 9GEM in
WA.
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Game details
Wallabies vs Argentina
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Saturday 13 September, 12pm AWST
Live on Stan Sport and 9GEM (in WA)
Wallabies team list
1. James Slipper (148 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates
2. Billy Pollard (13 Tests) – #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby
Club
3. Taniela Tupou (62 Tests) – #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Jeremy Williams (17 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
5. Tom Hooper (16 Tests) – #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
6. Rob Valetini (55 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (32 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (28 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Nic White (76 Tests) – #875; Maitland Blacks
10. Tane Edmed (2 Tests) – #990; West Harbour Juniors
11. Corey Toole (2 Tests) – #992; Wagga Crows
12. Hunter Paisami (31 Tests) – #932; Harlequin Junior Rugby
Club
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (11 Tests) – #988; The Kings
School
14. Max Jorgensen (14 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Andrew Kellaway (44 Tests) – #943, Hunters Hill Rugby
Club
Substitutes
16. Josh Nasser (6 Tests) – #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane)
17. Angus Bell (42 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Zane Nonggorr (15 Tests) – #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (41 Tests) – #914; Randwick
20. Carlo Tizzano (9 Tests) – #982; University of Western
Australia
21. Tate McDermott (48 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. James O’Connor (67 Tests) – #832, St Joseph’s College,
Nudgee
23. Filipo Daugunu (12 Tests) – #931, Wests Bulldogs)