Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Wallabies will have fresh look to their pack as they take on Argentina in San Salvador, with Allan Alaalatoa taking over the captaincy reins and loosehead prop Isaac Kailea getting his first Test start in two years against the Pumas.
While coach Les Kiss has retained all the backs who fired in the impressive home win over Japan earlier in August, but it will be all-change in the scrum for Saturday’s (Sunday AEST) clash.
A powerful-looking back row of No.8 Rob Valetini, blindside flanker Tom Hooper, making his first start of the year, and openside Fraser McReight will team up, with captain Harry Wilson being ‘rotated out’ while tighthead Alaalatoa leads the side.
Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams resume their partnership in the second row, while Kiss goes again with the halfback duo of Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon, and the Queensland Reds centre pairing of Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry, who combined nicely in the 56-17 win over Japan in Townsville.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is back from injury but is on the replacements’ bench, while Len Ikitau is rested while recovering from an ankle problem.
Saturday’s match will be the first of a two-parter, with the second Test in Mendoza following on September 5, and is seen as an early acid test of the side under Kiss’s leadership.
“As coaches we’ve needed to consider how we manage a long season for players while also providing Test experience in important positions,” said the coach.”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.”
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 (capt), 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo de Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Charlie Cale, 21Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
