VIDEO: Eddie demands Wallabies 'roll up sleeves' after losing a leader
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones demanded that Australia “roll up their sleeves” as he made five changes to his starting team to face Argentina after being thrashed by South Africa in his first game in charge.
Among those missing for Saturday’s clash in Sydney is injured co-captain Michael Hooper, with Fraser McReight replacing him at openside flank.
Another key change sees Mark Nawaqanitawase take over from Suliasi Vunivalu on the wing after the Rugby League convert’s flat performance in their 12-43 defeat to an understrength Springboks in Pretoria.
With the World Cup looming in September, Jones admitted Australia were outplayed by the world champions and said he expected better against an Argentina side that conceded seven tries to New Zealand in a 12-41 defeat at Mendoza last weekend.
“As a squad we’re running a marathon this year and we didn’t get off the start line like we wanted to, but we get another opportunity to find our rhythm this weekend against a tough Argentinian side,” said the coach.
“We have two Tests on home soil this year, so we have to roll up our sleeves on Saturday and put in a performance that drives Australians to show pride in the Wallabies.”
Jones cautioned that it will take time for the Wallabies to find their groove.
“We are obviously a new team and a new coaching staff, so we are finding out where we are at,” he said.
In the only other backline change, Samu Kerevi, who has been battling a hamstring injury, replaces Reece Hodge at inside centre and partners Len Ikitau in midfield.
Experienced playmaker Quade Cooper and scrumhalf Nic White again run the engine room.
‘Each moment’
Jed Holloway will wear the Wallabies jersey for the first time in 2023 after an injured Tom Hooper was ruled out. He lines up at blindside flank alongside McReight.
Lock Richie Arnold will make his first Test start in place of Nick Frost in the second row.
The front row remains unchanged with Test centurion James Slipper to skipper the side at loosehead prop, with David Porecki at hooker and Allan Alaalatoa tighthead prop.
Slipper said they had been working on consistency this week, particularly in the scrum and set-pieces.
“If you look back at the scrum [against South Africa] there were things we did really well, so it’s about doing that each scrum, each moment,” he said.
“The set-piece is also such a big area of the game that you have to get right and it’ll be no different against Argentina.”
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Josh Kemeny, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Carter Gordon.
Date: Saturday, July 15
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19.45 (09.45 GMT; 06.45 Argentina time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
