Wallabies make big flyhalf call for Los Pumas clash in Sydney
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Playmaker Tane Edmed was named to make his starting debut while prop James Slipper returns from injury in his 149th Test as Australia look to inflict more Rugby Championship misery on Argentina.
Edmed has been thrust into the cauldron of Saturday’s clash in Sydney ahead of veteran flyhalf James O’Connor as the replacement for Tom Lynagh, who has a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old will face a Pumas team smarting from an agonising 24-28 defeat at the death last week in Townsville.
Argentina were leading 21-7 at half-time, but lost focus as the Wallabies came roaring back to clinch victory with an 86th-minute try.
O’Connor was instrumental in helping rally the side when he came on for Lynagh, and will again be on the bench before departing next week to his new English club Leicester.
Edmed is one of two changes in the backs. Centre Hunter Paisami will play his first Test of the year, in for Len Ikitau, who has a knee gash, and will partner last week’s two-try hero Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Slipper returns after missing the past two Tests with a concussion, replacing Tom Robinson with last week’s matchwinner Angus Bell again a substitute.
He will combine with hooker Billy Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the front row.
Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams returns to the starting second row alongside Tom Hooper, with Nick Frost rested due to a tight back.
Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson continue in an unchanged back row.
Nic White is again at scrumhalf, Andrew Kellaway at fullback, with Max Jorgensen and Corey Toole on the wings.
“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,” said Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
“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.”
Australia are looking to win their first Rugby Championship since 2015.
They currently sit one point behind New Zealand with three games remaining – two of them against New Zealand, which makes a win on Saturday all the more important.
Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Date: Saturday, September 13
Venue: Sydney Football Ground, Sydney
Kick-off: 14.00 (04.00 GMT; 01.00 ART)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
