Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has recovered from a knee injury to lead the side against Argentina at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.
Wilson is one of three fresh faces in the starting side with 22-year-old Tom Lynagh selected at flyhalf for what is the side’s first home Test of their 2025 Flight Centre Rugby Championship campaign.
Andrew Kellaway has been named at fullback as he edges closer to his 50th appearance in Gold, replacing Tom Wright who unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury in Cape Town.
Most recent debutant Corey Toole will play his first Test on home soil after being named on the left wing, with Max Jorgensen completing the back three, selected to start on the right edge having celebrated his 21stbirthday during the week in North Queensland.
Lynagh will partner the experienced Nic White in the halves, while Wilson’s return at number eight sees Rob Valetini move to blindside flanker with Fraser McReight continuing using in the number seven jersey.
Bathurst’s Tom Hooper shows his versatility by shifting to the second row to partner club teammate Nick Frost.
Props Tom Robertson and Taniela Tupou are two of nine players in the matchday 23 who took the field in the Wallabies only other Test in Townsville back in 2021, which was also against Argentina. Billy Pollard starts at hooker for the fourth straight Test.
Midfield duo Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will look to continue to build cohesion in the centres, in what will be their ninth consecutive start together in Gold.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa is again the replacement hooker, combining with Angus Bell and Queensland’s Zane Nonggorr as the substitute front row for the Test which kicks off at the family friendly time of 2:30pm.
Western Force pair Jeremy Williams and Carlo Tizzano will cover the back five forward positions.
Queensland captain Tate McDermott will provide spark and energy as the substitute scrumhalf, with experienced James O’Connor named to potentially play his first Test on home soil since 2022. Filipo Daugunu rounds out the matchday 23, returning to the side having last pulled on the Gold jersey against Fiji in Newcastle in July.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The players have reassembled after a few days break, following our two games in South Africa, and worked their way through a very warm week here in Townsville.”
“Los Pumas are a combative and skilled side, and they will be confident after their recent performances. We know we’re going to need to be at our very best on Saturday afternoon.”
1. Tom Robertson (34 Tests) – #898; Dubbo Junior Rugby Club
2. Billy Pollard (12 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Taniela Tupou (61 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (31 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Tom Hooper (15 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
6. Rob Valetini (54 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (31 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (27 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Nic White (75 Tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks
10. Tom Lynagh (6 Tests) - #977; University of Queensland
11. Corey Toole (1 Test) - #992; Wagga Crows
12. Len Ikitau (45 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (10 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (13 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Andrew Kellaway (43 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (23 Tests) - #918, Southern Districts
17. Angus Bell (41 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Zane Nonggorr (14 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Jeremy Williams (16 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Carlo Tizzano (8 Tests) - #982; University of Western Australia
21. Tate McDermott (47 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. James O’Connor (66 Tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
23. Filipo Daugunu (12 Tests) - #931, Wests Bulldogs)
Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wallabies 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 27 on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies 26 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 29 on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies 22 defeated the British & Irish Lions 12 on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 38 defeated South Africa 22 on Saturday August 16 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Wallabies 22 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 23 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:00pm AEST on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand at 3:05pm AEST on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v Japan at 4:50pm AEDT on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London
Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at Stade de France, Paris
