The Wallabies have made sweeping changes to their forward pack for Saturday's Test against Argentina in Jujuy, with captain Harry Wilson omitted entirely and high-profile recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii named on the bench. Coach Les Kiss said the reshaped pack is 'worthwhile exploring' as he seeks to develop squad depth ahead of next year's World Cup.
Wilson rested, Alaalatoa to captain
Allan Alaalatoa will lead the side for the sixth time in Wilson's absence, with Rob Valetini moving to No 8. The entire forward pack has been rotated following the 56-17 victory over Japan in Townsville two weeks ago. Prop Isaac Kailea comes into the starting XV for his first Test since 2024.
Kiss explained that he and his staff have 'tried to find out how deep we can go in each position' in the front row, adding that they have 'reshaped' the pack this weekend because they believe it is 'worthwhile exploring'. He acknowledged the changes might look unusual from the outside, saying: 'It may not seem like order from you what you're seeing, but it's making sense internally with the players in particular why we're doing those things.'
Backline stability and Suaalii's role
In contrast to the forward overhaul, the backline remains largely unchanged. Ryan Lonergan again partners Carter Gordon in the halves, while the back three of Max Jorgensen, Harry Potter and Tom Wright start for a fourth consecutive match. The centre pairing of Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry has also been retained.
Suaalii, who has recovered from a minor hamstring strain, will start from the bench. Kiss said the team wants to 'maintain some continuity in that midfield' with Gordon and Lonergan, and the back three, before utilising Suaalii's versatility. 'Likely 13 at this stage is the position he'll cover, because we know Zac [Isaac Henry] can go to 12 if we need to as well, so that's just trying to use our resources in different ways,' Kiss added.
Wright said he had no preference about where Suaalii should come on, telling reporters: 'I think you guys, the external guys [the media], all of you are entitled to your opinion, and well, I'll leave you guys to have exactly that.'
Teammates praise Suaalii's professionalism
The fullback acknowledged the intense focus on the rugby league import, saying: 'He's obviously one of the bigger names in all of world rugby, arguably, he's always going to be a talking point.' Wright, who has played alongside Suaalii in five or six Tests this year, praised his work ethic: 'He works extremely hard during the week and he's one of the most professional guys I've trained and played with. So I probably see the other side of all the work that he puts into his game each week and the effect that he has on us as a team and all of his teammates.'
Australia team: 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 (captain), 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.
