Kailea back in gold, Alaalatoa to captain against Los Pumas
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne-raised prop Isaac Kailea will play his first test since 2024, named to start against 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.
Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams will reignite their second-row partnership, while halves 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 fullback.
Billy Pollard has been named as the replacement hooker, having made his Test debut in Argentina back in 2022. He’ll work alongside Wallaby 1000 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 scrumhalf, 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.”
Wallabies: 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.
Venue: Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador, Argentina
Kick-off: 21:00 SAST (5:00 AM AEST, 19.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
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